United Nations S/ PV.7629

Security Council Provisional Seventy-first year

7629th meeting Tuesday, 23 February 2016, 10 a.m. New York

President: Mr. Ramírez Carreño...... (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of))

Members: Angola...... Mr. Gaspar Martins China ...... Mr. Liu Jieyi Egypt...... Mr. Aboulatta France ...... Mr. Lamek Japan...... Mr. Yoshikawa Malaysia ...... Mr. Ibrahim New Zealand ...... Mr. Van Bohemen Russian Federation...... Mr. Iliichev Senegal ...... Mr. Seck Spain ...... Mr. Gasso Matoses Ukraine...... Mr. Yelchen ko United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . . Mr. Rycroft United States of America...... Mr. Pressman Uruguay ...... Mr. Rosselli

Agenda Post-conflict peacebuilding Post-conflict peacebuilding: review of the peacebuilding architecture Letter dated 1 February 2016 from the Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2016/104)

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the translation of speeches delivered in other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U-0506 ([email protected]). Corrected records will be reissued electronically on the Official Document System of the United Nations (http://documents.un.org). 16-04784 (E) *1604784* S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016

The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m. the United Nations to participate in this meeting, in accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and Adoption of the agenda previous practice in that regard. The agenda was adopted. It is so decided. The Security Council will now begin its Post-conflict peacebuilding consideration of the item on its agenda. Post-conflict peacebuilding: review of the I wish to draw the attention of Council members peacebuilding architecture to document S/2016/104, which contains the text of Letter dated 1 February 2016 from the a letter dated 1 February 2016 from the Permanent Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Republic of Venezuela to the United Nations to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary- addressed to the Secretary-General General, transmitting a concept note on the item (S/2016/104) under consideration. The President (spoke in Spanish): In accordance I now give the floor to Mr. Kamau. with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of Mr. Kamau: First, allow me to congratulate you, procedure, I invite the representatives of Algeria, Sir, for your assumption of the presidency of the Security Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Council for February 2016, as well as to commend you Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, on the manner in which you have conducted the affairs of Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, the Council. I thank you for organizing this timely open Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, debate of the Security Council on peacebuilding and for Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, circulating an informative concept note (S/2016/104, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, the annex) to guide us. I also thank you for the initiative Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, of inviting me to address the Security Council in my Slovakia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand and capacity as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. Turkey to participate in this meeting. We at the Peacebuilding Commission welcome In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s very much not only the opportunity to be here but also provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following to the concept note that you, Sir, circulated for our debate participate in this meeting: His Excellency Mr. Macharia today. The note clearly spells out some of the crucial Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya and Chair challenges that peacebuilding is facing and why we of the Peacebuilding Commission; His Excellency must redouble our efforts at better peacebuilding within Mr. Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden the collective United Nations family. We agree with and former Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission; your note that the Security Council and the General and His Excellency Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Chair of the Assembly have acknowledged, for some time now, that Advisory Group of Experts on the review of the United the Peacebuilding Commission can contribute to the Nations Peacebuilding Architecture. prevention of the outbreak, escalation, continuation In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s and recurrence of conflict, as acknowledged by the provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following landmark resolution 2171 (2014) on conflict prevention, to participate in this meeting: Mrs. Louise Sharene adopted in 2014. The Peacebuilding Commission and Bailey, Adviser at the Permanent Observer Mission its configurations continue to work in that vein, and we of the African Union to the United Nations; His remain thankful for the support and acknowledgement Excellency Mr. Gonzalo Koncke, Permanent Observer we receive from the Council in that regard. of the Organization of American States to the United This debate comes at a crucial moment. As you, Nations; and Mr. Carl Hallergard, Chargé d’affaires ad Mr. President, point out in your concept note, the reviews interim of the Delegation of the European Union to the of the peacebuilding architecture under consideration United Nations. in the Security Council and in the General Assembly I propose that the Council invite the Permanent call upon Member States to see peacebuilding in Observer of the Observer State of the Holy See to a broader perspective and to face it with greater

2/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 determination. The review of the peacebuilding question of whether there could be a reduced need for architecture is currently in its final stages, and the emergency conflict responses if peacebuilding and United Nations is being called to re-examine its prevention efforts were prioritized. The United Nations entire approach to peacebuilding in the context of the experience shows the critical role that peacebuilding 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General efforts and the Peacebuilding Commission can Assembly resolution 70/1), which we all adopted in play in the mobilization of long-term and sustained 2015, while remaining true to the principles enshrined international support to critical national capacity needs. in the Charter of the United Nations. I shall highlight The role of the Peacebuilding Fund in providing some of salient elements of the report (see S/2015/490) financing to countries at their request has evidently of the Advisory Group of Experts on the 2015 review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture that I been important, but remains, by far, limited in its believe deserve the particular attention of the Council impact. Clearly, the Fund needs to be enhanced. and of the wider membership. Currently, multi-donor pooled funds for peacebuilding seem to be the single most attractive option for First, the report of the Advisory Group of Experts, peacebuilding. However, we would like to call upon all entitled “Challenge of sustaining peace”, reiterates Member States, including non-traditional donors and the need for a comprehensive approach to conflict other partners, to consider making or increasing their prevention and sustainable peace. In my understanding, multi-year commitments to pooled funds in support of the report does not introduce a new concept but merely sustainable peace. restates what we all know needs to be done to achieve lasting peace — the main purpose for which the United Furthermore, all financing-related proposals in the Nations was created. Its key message is a lesson we have report of the Advisory Group, including those aimed all learned over the years, namely, that investments in at appropriately resourcing peacebuilding programmes the prevention of the outbreak, escalation, continuation during transitions, need to be comprehensively and recurrence of conflict are considerably less considered by Member States during the current expensive and more sustainable than merely reacting review. We need to address the predictability and to crises. sustainability of financing. We must consider all the viable options available to maximize the potential and Secondly, the current review comes at a time the predictability of the Peacebuilding Fund. when there have been increasing calls pressing for the need to address the fragmentation in the United The importance of enhanced partnerships with Nations system’s efforts and a growing unanimity on regional and subregional organizations, as well as the importance of building coherence in our collective with international financial institutions, in building efforts across the peace and security, development peace cannot be overemphasized. The African Union and human rights engagement of the United Nations and European Union (EU) in particular are among at the intergovernmental and operational levels. The the strategic partners, as Africa remains important Peacebuilding Commission, in its advisory role to the to the United Nations peacebuilding efforts. We shall Security Council, stands ready to serve as a bridge work closely with the African Union, the EU and other between the Security Council and other principal regional organizations to ensure that peacebuilding intergovernmental organizations, with a view to initiatives are not only regionally owned and reflect strengthening the collaboration and enhancing the the interests and needs of local populations, but are impact of their collective peacebuilding work in also regionally anchored and internationally supported the world. based on each other’s comparative advantages. The importance of strengthening World Bank-United Thirdly, building lasting peace requires predictable, Nations collaboration as a way to promote sustainable sustained and adequate financing to address the root peace and channel resources to peacebuilding is causes of conflict. According to the report of the something we intend to deepen alongside collaboration Advisory Group, while countries emerging from with regional financial institutions such as the African conflict require significant financing over extended Development Bank. periods, funding is often channelled into short-term emergency responses that would produce immediate But while Africa continues to be the priority tangible results. That dilemma often invites the obvious destination for peacebuilding activities, we would not

16-04784 3/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 wish to create the impression here that only Africa is I have been a firm supporter of the report (see crying out for peacebuilding interventions. Anyone S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts from who reads the daily newspapers knows that Africa has the start, and I wish to pay tribute to Ambassador Gert no monopoly on violence and the absence of peace, on Rosenthal and his colleagues for their excellent work on the contrary. As time moves on, we will need to ask that Review. I am confident that the review can bring ourselves what more the Peacebuilding Commission real change to the Organization. can and could do in other parts of the world to deepen In your concept note (S/2016/104, annex), the roots of peace and help stop violence. Mr. President, you remind us of the fact that the notion As we work together to operationalize the outcome of peacebuilding was introduced by former Secretary- of the review of the peacebuilding architecture, we shall General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in his report “An need to develop the links between our collective efforts Agenda for Peace” (S/24111). I would like take this to build sustainable peace and the 2030 Agenda for opportunity to express our recognition of his services Sustainable Development. In doing so, the Peacebuilding to world peace and international order. Commission, working with the Peacebuilding Support Equally important, the concept note reminds us of Office and the United Nations Development Group, will the conceptual shift in our thinking on peacebuilding, continue to look for ways to entrench its peacebuilding acknowledged by both the Council and the General efforts in the relevant aspects of the work of the United Assembly. Peacebuilding can no longer be confined to Nations and the upcoming quadrennial comprehensive post-conflict recovery. Sustaining peace encompasses policy review, which presents a very good opportunity activities aimed at preventing the outburst, resurgence to deepen that relationship. and continuation of conflict. Validating and solidifying In conclusion, I am fully aware of the high this shift in mindset and endorsing a corresponding expectations for a more effective Peacebuilding change in the way the United Nations system is set Commission. The Peacebuilding Commission will work up to respond to conflict is the single most important to leverage the collective weight of its membership, outcome of the peacebuilding review. That is why this particularly with the members of the Security Council, debate is so timely, as we Member States are in the midst and to bring together partners, regional organizations, of defining how to turn the normative developments United Nations system actors, academia, civil society and and the political momentum into concrete reforms for a non-governmental organizations, including women’s better operational response. organizations, to contribute to greater coherence and Today, I would like to focus my remarks on the commitment to building sustainable peace. Together we following areas. First, I will share some conclusions will be able to, first, mobilize attention to drivers and from my chairmanship of the Peacebuilding root causes of conflicts that contribute to preventing Commission (PBC). I will then touch upon what I the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence believe are key areas in the review, namely, conflict of conflicts; secondly, bring greater focus and priority prevention, financing for sustaining peace and the role to the regional dimension of building sustainable peace of regional organizations. and provide a platform to promote the perspectives I have had the great fortune and honour to chair of regional actors; and, thirdly, but not least, provide the Peacebuilding Commission during a dynamic political support to the practical integration of security, year. The review of the peacebuilding architecture political, human rights and developmental responses provided a stimulating backdrop to our work. It gave over medium- to long-term engagements. the Commission an opportunity to test in practice The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank how we can improve delivery and become more Mr. Kamau for his briefing. useful — because, as the review rightly pointed out, the Peacebuilding Commission has yet to fully deliver I now give the floor to Mr. Skoog. on the expectations as conceived at its establishment. Mr. Skoog: I would like to thank you, Mr. President, The Commission is quite a unique structure at the for convening this timely debate on the review of the United Nations, as well as a flexible body. I believe peacebuilding architecture. I also want to thank you for there are inherent opportunities for the Commission the invitation to brief the Security Council this morning. to keep evolving and to adopt new approaches, and

4/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 thereby to come closer to fulfilling its original vision option. But no matter what we agree on in a particular of bridging the gap between crisis response and long- resolution, we should simultaneously look beyond term development and sustainable peace. United Nations mechanisms and find innovative ways of adequately resourcing peacebuilding efforts. At the outset of our chairmanship, we set out a Part of that involves strengthening national capacity number of objectives for the work of the Commission, for domestic revenue-regeneration. We can help including adopting more transparent and strategic decrease dependence on external resources, which in working methods, a more flexible agenda, increasing turn strengthens national leadership and ownership inclusivity and improving partnerships with regional of development. and subregional organizations. We convened several regional and country-specific discussions concerning The United Nations does not operate in a vacuum and situations outside of the PBC regular agenda. is not always the best-placed actor to address threats to peace. My third message today is therefore that we need I have also come to appreciate that the mandate to create stronger partnerships with regional actors and of the Commission has never been more relevant or to strengthen their capacity, since they are often first important. Only by addressing the root causes of responders to conflict. By partnering with regional and conflict, investing in socioeconomic development and subregional organizations, the United Nations response building national capacities will there be lasting peace. will be better informed by local perspectives and better The Peacebuilding Commission has a fundamentally able to bring such understandings and approaches to important role in championing those long-term peacebuilding to the fore. and comprehensive approaches. I believe we have a collective duty to make the PBC as effective as it Before concluding, let me add a final thought on can be, especially as the demand for more effective a very positive development recently, namely, the international response to conflicts remains high. recognition of the role of young people in peacebuilding. This agenda is not an add-on, an optional tick-in-the-box That brings me to my first message, concerning exercise. It is about tapping into and drawing upon the the prevention of conflict. There are no excuses for tremendous potential of young people as a positive not heeding the call coming out consistently across the source for peace, in particular in conflict-affected three reviews on United Nations peace operations. We countries, where youth often make up the majority of must move the prevention of conflict to the centre of the population and where risk factors around youth our work. To do so, we must better equip all parts of unemployment tend to overshadow the notion of youth the United Nations system to contribute to sustaining as making potential contributions. By taking forward peace, including the United Nations development resolution 2250 (2015), stewarded by Jordan, and by system. That entails recognizing that peacebuilding adopting more inclusive approaches, we will make sure is an inherently political process that requires sound that their voices are heard. political analysis and corresponding conflict-sensitive programming. Above all, it requires adequate political I am very grateful to have been invited to address and financial support within the Organization, which the Council on several occasions during the past year. brings me to my second message. I can only encourage the Security Council to reach out to the Peacebuilding Commission more actively and to If we are serious about sustaining peace, we look to the Peacebuilding Commission as a body that need to make sure there are resources to back up our can complement and add value to the Council’s work priorities, as the Chair just said. It is a tragic irony through a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace. that, while resources available for peacekeeping and humanitarian response amount to billions of dollars, Lastly, while I might have stepped down from the conflict-prevention initiatives, which could save chairmanship of the PBC, my commitment and, more so many lives and significantly lessen the need for important, the commitment of the Swedish Government peacekeeping in the first place, has to scramble for a to sustaining peace, to multilateralism and to the fraction of those amounts. I understand that there are United Nations remains as strong as ever. The Council sensitivities around some of the recommendations can count on us, as we together take the necessary steps pertaining to increased financing, related to assessed to implement these reforms aimed at building a more contributions. In my view, we need to look at every effective United Nations.

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The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank of the present peacebuilding efforts aim to address root Mr. Skoog for his briefing. causes in the broader context of pre-empting a lapse or relapse into violent conflict. The determination in 2005 I now give the floor to Mr. Rosenthal. was to ensure that such efforts became central. But we Mr. Rosenthal (spoke in Spanish): I thank you, found that, regrettably, that has not been the case. Mr. President, for having invited me to participate Secondly, what makes that broader view somewhat in this open debate of the Security Council and for dysfunctional in relation to the present arrangements the concept note (S/2016/104, annex) that you have regarding the purview of each of the principal presented to us. Speaking first in a personal capacity, inter-governmental organs is that we seem to live in a I am pleased to be back in the Chamber, where my last culture of virtual silos. As we all know, the Security appearance was as a representative of a Member State, Council deals with international peace and security, a little over two years ago. and the General Assembly and Economic and Social I shall now speak on behalf of the seven members Council address, among other aspects, issues that fall of the Advisory Group of Experts. in the domain of the human rights and development pillars. But distinct areas of preventing conflict (spoke in English) or dealing with post-conflict situations fall within In a five-minute statement, I can touch only on the purview of different organs. In our report, we some of the most salient features of what is now known stress the need for all three organs to discharge their as the report (see S/2015/4990) of the Advisory Group responsibilities in a coordinated and coherent manner, of Experts. As will be recalled, the report was initiated each keeping within the confines of its mandates. by Member States through a joint resolution of the We believe that the Peacebuilding Commission, in its Security Council and the General Assembly. That is capacity as an advisory body to all organs, can play as it should be, because what we conventionally think a key role in proposing how that coordination can be of as peacebuilding has roots in the mandates of not brought about in operational and practical terms. Those only the Council but also of the two other principal include regularly convening a broader array of actors inter-governmental organs. We will also recall that the for inclusive conversations about the challenges of review of the peacebuilding activities of the United sustaining peace over the longer-term and distilling Nations contemplated two phases. Our report provides that advice for the use of all organs. the collective and unvarnished opinion of seven Thirdly, our discussions on peacebuilding centre independent specialists on how the United Nations too much on the institutional and organizational is performing its peacebuilding activities. Our rather aspects in New York, when building sustainable peace critical conclusions and recommendations are aimed can happen only on the ground — where we found that, at improving that performance. What are our main in spite of some progress achieved towards delivering conclusions? as one, the United Nations still faces very serious First, we need to rethink what we mean by challenges in enhancing its effectiveness and relevance. peacebuilding. Both of the previous briefers touched Fourthly — and this is something obvious, but upon that. In fact, in the agenda items of the Council the not always sufficiently understood — reconciliation, term is always preceded by the adjective post-conflict. capacity-building, institution-building and strategic In spite of the fact that the Council recognized as early planning can take only place in situ, led by domestic as 2001 that peacebuilding can and should occur during stakeholders through what we call inclusive national the full cycle of conflict — before, during and post — we ownership. The United Nations can enable, but it cannot keep addressing the matter as something that should build, peace on its own. occur after the guns fall silent, which unfortunately has meant its relegation to the end of the line in priority- Fifthly, the United Nations is usually not the only, setting. We propose the term “sustainable peace” as or even often the most important, external actor in preferable and as the needed evolution in mindset, peacebuilding situations. It must improve its capacity but any other expression will do. The main point is to partner with regional organizations, as well as that the United Nations as a whole must put a much with bilateral and multilateral financial institutions. greater accent on preventive measures. In fact, much It must also interact with non-State actors that are

6/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 present at the request of the host Government and with leadership to consider measures leading to real change domestic stakeholders. in the prevailing mindset within the United Nations, and also for strengthening the capacity of the broader Sixthly, peacebuilding requires long-term development United Nations peacebuilding architecture. We hope financing, which will invariably be a good investment that this debate will contribute to reaching consensus on owing to its intrinsic benefits and to the degree that it such measures through the intergovernmental process. contributes to preventing conflicts. The United Nations will not be called upon to be a source of significant The report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory financial assistance, but clearly it can be hugely Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding important as a catalyst for such assistance, especially Architecture, prepared under the leadership of through more intense use of the Peacebuilding Fund. Ambassador Gert Rosenthal, concludes that, unless we succeed in breaking the barriers within the Organization Finally, the report includes numerous specific between the principle organs of the United Nations and recommendations to round out the points I have between and within the Secretariat, agencies, funds mentioned, but I cannot delve into those owing to and programmes of the United Nations, we will fail the lack of time. I should mention, however, that our the people that we have been mandated to serve. It recommendations are not limited to the institutions is in the Council’s interest to consider, with urgency, established in 2005; they cover as well detailed measures to discourage the division and fragmentation policies to make the Peacebuilding Commission, the of approaches, in order to protect the multi-billion Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support dollar investment we have in peacekeeping missions Office useful elements in a systemic approach on against the risk of lapse or relapse into conflict. In the part of the United Nations to achieve what we recent memory, the tragic cases of South Sudan and the call sustainable peace. I should end by stating that Central African Republic serve as stark illustrations of our conceptual framework is very much consistent such risks. with Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1). In The United Nations system must give priority to other words, we place peacebuilding in the broader enabling countries to put in place effective and inclusive context of the United Nations central mission. national and local mechanisms and institutions that can address the socioeconomic and political root causes and The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank drivers of violent conflict, including issues related to Mr. Rosenthal for his briefing. the promotion and protection of human rights and the I shall now give the floor to the members of the assignment of a prominent role for women in all stages Security Council. of peace consolidation. That will be the most effective way to pursue prevention. It is therefore imperative Mr. Aboulatta (Egypt): I have the honour to to introduce policies, structures and mandates that deliver this joint statement on behalf of the delegations primarily cater to the development capacity of of Egypt, Spain and Ukraine. For the purpose of brevity national stakeholders. and efficiency, a more detailed written version of this statement will be circulated. Preventive diplomacy also represents a major tool of deterrence that the Security Council should We would like to commend you, Mr. President, deploy more frequently. It should do that by utilizing for having organized this debate on the theme “Post- the good offices of the Secretary-General and his conflict peacebuilding: review of the peacebuilding mandated responsibility to draw the Council’s attention architecture”, at a critical juncture in the to situations that could threaten international peace intergovernmental process of the peacebuilding review. and security, and by utilizing partnerships with The ongoing review of the United Nations peacebuilding regional and subregional organizations. To that end, architecture takes place at a defining moment for the we believe that the Council must recommit to the spirit Organization. With the increasing number of violent of Chapters VI and VIII of the Charter of the United conflicts and their changing nature, the existing tools Nations, thereby making a critical contribution to the and approaches that the United Nations uses and applies building and sustaining of peace. In that vein, the in its response are being called into question. Hence Council should consistently respond to the requests of the need for Member States and the United Nations parties for assistance in the implementation of peace

16-04784 7/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 agreements. The most recent response to the request “Reform is a continuing process, and from Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of improvement can have no limit ... The pace set Colombia serves as a good example for future Council must therefore be increased if the United Nations contributions to the prevention of relapse into conflict. is to keep ahead of the acceleration of history that characterizes this age. We must be guided not by Despite the commendable contributions made over precedents alone, however wise these may be, but the past decade by the Peacebuilding Commission, the by the needs of the future and by the shape and Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support content that we wish to give it.” (S/24111, para. 85) Office to maintaining our attention on situations and needs that would otherwise have fallen off the radar, we Mr. Gaspar Martins (Angola): At the outset, I must plead guilty to having underutilized those tools. would like to thank you, Mr. President, and Venezuela We must seize the opportunity offered by the three for convening this timely and important debate on reviews of United Nations peacekeeping operations the theme “Post-conflict peacebuilding: review of the to ensure that the three components of our broader peacebuilding architecture”, as we are in the final peacebuilding architecture play a more central role in stages of the intergovernmental process to which catalyzing political commitment on the part of Member we, Angola and Australia have been appointed by States to promoting coherence within and beyond the the Presidents of General Assembly and the Security United Nations system and in mobilizing human and Council respectively. As already mentioned, a draft financial resources. resolution is under negotiation, and we aim to secure With the reforms proposed by the report of its adoption soon by the General Assembly and the the Advisory Group of Experts with regard to the Security Council, in conformity with the mandate working methods and functions of the Peacebuilding received from the Presidents of the General Assembly Commission, the Security Council should draw upon the and Security Council. Advisory Group’s advice when a situation with which I am very pleased to see Ambassador Rosenthal, the Council is seized is no longer characterized as a crisis Chair of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review but should still be considered fragile and deserving of of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture, more dedicated, targeted and sustained attention. back in the Council Chamber, and I thank him for Peacebuilding-related investments should start sharing with the Council his views on how we should early as the opportunities emerge throughout the arc move forward regarding peacebuilding. The Advisory of a crisis. That will help build the foundation for an Panel’s excellent report (see S/2015/490) provides inclusive political settlement and for key institutions a comprehensive assessment of the United Nations early on. More predictable funding for a broad range peacebuilding architecture. I would also like to of early and targeted engagement remains critical for thank my friends Ambassador Macharia Kamau and building and sustaining peace. In that regard, we believe Ambassador Olof Skoog, current and previous Chairs that the recommendations contained in the report of the of the Peacebuilding Commission. I am very pleased Advisory Group deserve greater circulation and serious that they have shared their views with the Council to consideration on the part of Member States. guide our debate this morning. We truly hope that we can soon reach consensus Finally, when I look at the list of Member States on a draft resolution that will formalize the review whose representatives inscribed their names to and authorize efforts to effect the needed changes. participate in this open debate, I am also pleased to see However, no resolution stands a chance of making a real that the membership believes that our theme has great difference unless all Member States and the seniormost significance, both for the Council’s work and for the leadership of the United Nations stand ready to renew international community itself. The maintenance of their commitment to saving this and succeeding peace is indeed what we need to do. generations from the scourge of war. In establishing the Peacebuilding Commission, As we recently paid tribute to Boutrous Boutrous the Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Ghali, I will conclude with a quote from his 1992 “An Office 10 years ago, the General Assembly and the Agenda for Peace: Preventive Diplomacy, Peacemaking Security Council had as their objective to provide the and Peacekeeping”: United Nations with the institutional, financial and

8/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 structural capacity to support countries emerging peacebuilding must be understood as an evolving from conflict. The Peacebuilding Commission has concept based on the need to constantly adapt to the played an important role in assisting States on its reality on the ground. That has been stressed once agenda and is a forum for sharing of experiences, best again today. Peacebuilding takes place on the ground, practices and expertise in post-conflict situations. where conflicts have to be dealt with, and must entail time frames for political transformation after In a world facing continuous threats to peace and violent conflict. the proliferation of conflicts, regular reviews of the peacebuilding architecture are critical to ensuring that With regard to time frames, based on Angola’s the United Nations system is adapted to contemporary experience, we believe that the achievement of peace challenges. As such, we would like to focus on two has a dynamic of its own. Each country has specificities aspects stressed in the report of the Advisory Group, that define the time needed to address root causes and namely, the need for a change in mindset with regard to avoid a relapse into conflict. In that regard, while facing the role of peacebuilding in the United Nations system delays in the political transition of a given country, the and the need to adjust the approaches to peacebuilding. Security Council can either look into the deep-rooted causes of such delays and contribute constructively to As the report of the Advisory Group points out, address them, or adopt a rigid position by increasing in the report entitled “An Agenda for Peace” (S/24111) pressure on the parties and seeking strict compliance peacebuilding is a logical follow-up to peacekeeping with an agreed time frame and a negotiated peace and peacemaking, with a main objective of preventing settlement. We believe that by taking the appropriate a relapse into conflict once a peace settlement had been time to resolve outstanding disputes and accepting the secured. According to the Advisory Group, the new need to adapt the time frames of peace agreements to mindset in peacebuilding should be based on the concept the existing challenges might significantly contribute of sustaining peace, built on a vision that peacebuilding to sustaining an unsustainable peace. is aimed at preventing the outbreak and recurrence of armed conflict, and therefore encompasses a wide To conclude, I would like to like to once again range of political, developmental, humanitarian and underscore that which is at stake in the current review human rights programmes and mechanisms. Sustaining of the peacebuilding architecture, namely, the strategy peace is a permanent undertaking before, during and of the United Nations system in addressing conflict after conflict. prevention, the root causes of conflict and the creation of sustainable peaceful societies in a context of diversity, With regard to the responsibility of the United challenges and continuous threats to international peace Nations system, and based on the outlined objectives, and security. That is a goal that international authorities peacebuilding covers the three pillars and the main and international partners, including international, organs of the United Nations whose activity is devoted regional and subregional organizations, should address to the prevention of armed conflict and the maintenance together through coordinated efforts. It is our shared of peace, while promoting the high values and principles responsibility, and this is the right time to fulfil it. enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. In the past 10 years, the Peacebuilding Commission has Mr. Van Bohemen (New Zealand): We thank the been striving to connect the activities of those organs Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for convening this by identifying the root causes of conflict, creating meeting and thank the briefers — Ambassadors Kamau, a favourable environment for trust among parties Skoog and Rosenthal. to a conflict, strengthening States’ capacities and In the past two decades, our understanding of what promoting the inclusive participation of a wide range of makes for effective peacebuilding has grown markedly. national stakeholders. It is now accepted that effective political transitions In Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, Kosovo, Liberia, and national reconciliation processes, the reform and Timor-Leste and Sierra Leone, the United Nations has strengthening of security and rule of law institutions helped to consolidate peace by promoting inclusive and the creation of employment and economic socioeconomic development, economic growth, opportunities can all be critical for sustaining peace. poverty eradication, the rule of law and human rights. Similarly, as Ambassador Rosenthal again reminded us, As part of the United Nations comprehensive activities, and notwithstanding our post-conflict focus in the title

16-04784 9/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 of the agenda item, peacebuilding is now recognized as achieve national ownership in practice. We support something that underlies every step in the conflict cycle, the recommendation of the Advisory Group to use not only as something that follows at the end of conflict mechanisms such as peacebuilding compacts to resolution and peacekeeping activities. We also better foster improved understanding and more meaningful acknowledge now the central importance of national ownership of programmes by national stakeholders. ownership to the long-term success of peacebuilding New Zealand has seen such agreements benefit regional efforts. At the same time, we have learned a great deal peacebuilding missions in our own region. about what not to do, and have identified areas where we need to do better. Today I will highlight four areas Equally important is the need for better coordination where New Zealand believes that we, as the Council, with other peacebuilding actors — including United need to improve our collective performance. Nations agencies, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations and bilateral donors — to First, we support the call by the Advisory Group promote coherence in international assistance. United of Experts for the Council to play a more active role Nations country teams have a central role to play in this in peacebuilding. In our view, the Council must focus regard, particularly during peace operation transitions, on key areas of comparative advantage and integrate when coordination with longer-term development peacebuilding objectives into mission planning from partners is critical for ensuring that peacebuilding gains the earliest stages. While the Council is not best- are sustained beyond the life of the mission. We support placed to provide overall leadership of United Nations the Advisory Group’s recommendation to strengthen peacebuilding efforts, it plays a critical role in mandating the offices of the Resident Coordinators during such early peacebuilding tasks and mobilizing the necessary transitions, even on a temporary basis, to assist with resources in many immediate post-conflict settings. taking forward and reallocating the peacebuilding Secondly, there needs to be more consistent and tasks of departing missions. meaningful engagement between the Council and the Fourthly, as others have also emphasized, the Peacebuilding Commission. New Zealand has been one fragmentation of peacebuilding efforts across the United of many countries to call for that since the Commission’s Nations system needs to be addressed. Competing establishment, in 2005. It should not be a question mandates, funding sources and accountabilities can of powers or prerogatives; both the Commission and pose enormous challenges for achieving and sustaining the Council benefit by sharing their knowledge and expertise. Making doctrinal distinctions between the unity of vision and effort across different United two bodies’ respective competencies is a barrier to the Nations entities. integrated, joined-up approach that should be our aim The Advisory Group has outlined a range of and should be the norm. We have been pleased to see recommendations to address this, including more positive examples, such as the briefing by the Chair integrated strategic planning, more accountable senior of the Guinea-Bissau country-specific configuration leadership and stronger peacebuilding expertise in during our discussions on the United Nations Integrated critical areas. We encourage the Secretary-General to Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) take these forward. last week (see S/PV.7624). We strongly support his involvement in the Council mission to Guinea-Bissau Let me conclude by commending the efforts next week. We want to see greater engagement between of Australia and Angola as co-facilitators of the the Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. intergovernmental consultations on the 2015 review of Additionally, the Council could benefit from the the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. We look Commission’s advice on issues such as designing forward to considering a Security Council resolution in meaningful benchmarks to measure the completion of response to the review in the near future. peacebuilding mandates. In the coming year, important decisions are expected Thirdly, as all of the briefers emphasized, the with regard to the transitions in Liberia, Haiti and Côte Council needs to better recognize the essential role of d’Ivoire that will strongly influence the prospects for partnerships in achieving and sustaining peacebuilding sustaining the hard-fought peacebuilding gains in those gains, particularly in regard to institutional capacity- countries. Let us ensure that we draw on the lessons we building. We still have some way to go to consistently have learned when making those decisions.

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Mr. Liu Jieyi (China) (spoke in Chinese): China The idea that peacebuilding actions can take over appreciates the initiative of Venezuela to convene this most — or indeed even all — of the role that should be open debate of the Security Council on the review of played by the host country Government is not desirable. the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. I thank Secondly, the peacebuilding architecture should the Permanent Representative of Kenya, Ambassador serve as a communication platform between the host Kamau; the Permanent Representative of Sweden, country and the stakeholders of the international Ambassador Skoog; and Ambassador Rosenthal for community. Peacebuilding is a systems project that their respective briefings. includes multiple areas such as political, security A few days ago, we mourned with a heavy heart and social development, and involves multiple actors, the passing of Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former including the host-country Government, international Secretary-General of the United Nations. In 1992, in financial institutions and regional organizations. his report entitled “An Agenda for Peace” (S/24111), International financial institutions should focus on he introduced the concept of peacebuilding. In 2005, helping the countries concerned to improve their capability to generate and mobilize resources and the General Assembly and the Security Council provide a solid basis for future development. adopted respective resolutions deciding to establish the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), the Peacebuilding The African Union and other regional organizations Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Office, marking should give full play to their geographical advantages a historic step by the United Nations in the area and explore and formulate regional solutions for of peacebuilding. peacebuilding. The United Nations should enhance coordination and allow all actors to fully leverage their In recent years, the United Nations peacebuilding respective advantages and expertise, so as to create an architecture has been actively supporting reconstruction effective division of labour and synergies. and State-building in post-conflict countries and assisted West African countries in coping with the Ebola Thirdly, we must proceed from the actual needs of the epidemic. United Nations peacebuilding practices in countries concerned and adopt a tailor-made approach. countries such as Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste have Post-conflict countries have different national realities. already become success stories in this regard. Even in the same country, peacebuilding needs and priorities may vary from one stage to another. When At present, regional conflicts are producing major formulating work plans for peacebuilding, we must spillover effects, and traditional and non-traditional take into full consideration the local conditions, respect security threats are interwoven. Some post-conflict the views of the host country, pay attention to its actual countries are facing the risk of the resurgence of war. needs and ensure that our plans and work are in full How to improve our work in the area of peacebuilding, alignment with the overall national strategy and priority consolidate the fruits of the process and achieve lasting development areas. In the process of implementation, peace are the major topics to be explored by the United there should be regular evaluation of its effectiveness Nations peacebuilding architecture. on the ground so that timely adjustments and additional measures can be taken in accordance with the needs of China would like to elaborate on the following points. the host country. First, we must adhere to the “host-country-led and Fourthly, we must attach importance to the host-country-driven” principle. Peacebuilding efforts communication and connection between peacebuilding must be based on the consent of the host country and peacekeeping operations. In conflict-stricken and be tasked with enhancing the capacity-building countries where peacekeepers have been deployed, capabilities of the host country; our goal should be to peacekeeping missions are familiar with the local achieve lasting peace and stable development in the situation and have access to a wealth of information and countries concerned. The international community intelligence. United Nations peacebuilding efforts must must respect the sovereignty and ownership of post- focus on strengthening connections with peacekeeping conflict countries, give full play to the initiatives of the operations so as to ensure the sharing of resources. In countries concerned and provide constructive support the final stage of a peacekeeping mission’s lifespan, and assistance to these countries. the mission should seek to ensure and maintain the

16-04784 11/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 lasting stability of the host country and enhance its Faso, Papua New Guinea and Somalia, demonstrated communication with the United Nations peacebuilding that the PBC has the flexibility to engage outside a architecture, so as to ensure that peacebuilding efforts predetermined scope. can be carried out smoothly after the departure of It is noteworthy that the Commission was early the mission. able to adopt a regional approach in supporting United Fifthly, we must give full play to the important role Nations efforts to respond to the Ebola outbreak in of the Peacebuilding Commission. The PBC comprises West Africa. Such engagement indicates that the members of the General Assembly, the Security PBC possesses the latent ability to act in a preventive Council and the Economic and Social Council. The capacity. PBC is well informed in many areas and has an in-depth It is important that the ongoing review exercise understanding of peacebuilding work in particular recognize this potential and consider the necessary countries. The Peacebuilding Commission should measures to maintain or strengthen it further. We fully consider further strengthening its ties with the General agree withe Ambassador Kamau’s observations that in Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and the long run investments in preventing the outbreak, Social Council so as to actively advice on issues such escalation, continuation and recurrence of conflict are as the consolidation of peace, enhancing the capacity considerably less costly and sustainable than those of host countries and developing country-specific associated with reacting and responding to crises. In mechanisms. The Security Council should enhance its the long term, strengthening the PBC’s preventive communication with the PBC and its country-specific capacity and role also contributes to deepening a configurations so as to provide better guidance in culture of prevention within the United Nations system this area. and on the shared Charter-mandated responsibility of Mr. Ibrahim (Malaysia): I join earlier speakers sustaining peace. in thanking you, Mr. President, for having convened The concurrent reviews of the peacebuilding this meeting, which represents a timely opportunity architecture, of United Nations peace operations and to take stock of the ongoing work on reviewing the of resolution 1325 (2000) present an opportunity to peacebuilding architecture. I thank you also for the address the challenge of possible fragmentation as informative concept note (S/2016/104, annex). I wish well as to promote better synergy, coordination and also to thank the briefers, namely, ambassador Kamau of complementarity in the work of the relevant bodies, Kenya, Ambassador Skoog of Sweden and Ambassador agencies and mechanisms of the United Nations Rosenthal for their respective presentations. As a towards achieving the core objective of promoting current member of the Peacebuilding Commission and sustaining peace. The three review processes (PBC), Malaysia subscribes to a number of points and share an underlying aspect, namely, the pursuit of an issues elaborated by the briefers. I wish also to further integrated approach that links development, human contribute to discussions with the following points. rights and security while remaining fully mindful of As stressed by the briefers, 2015 and 2016 are crucial the primacy of politics in peacebuilding efforts and the for the peacebuilding agenda, not least in respect of the peace process. In that context, my delegation wishes to ongoing peacebuilding architecture review process. underscore the linkages and the need for peacebuilding I take this opportunity to express support for Angola architecture review outcomes to be aligned with the and Australia in leading the ongoing intergovernmental goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development negotiations on the review outcome. We are confident (General Assembly resolution 70/1). that the comprehensive, transparent and inclusive The eradication of hunger and poverty, economic approach of the co-Chairs will yield an outcome that revitalizaton and stabilization, including by increasing enjoys broad support and consensus among all Member the revenue-generating capacity of countries in States, partners and stakeholders. transition, must be counted among the core objectives The year 2015 saw a significant and positive shift of peacebuilding initiatives. At the same time, we also in the PBC’s approach, particularly with regard to its support proposals to strengthen the participation of advocacy role. The Commission’s engagement with women and youth in peacebuilding. Therefore, overall States not on its formal agenda, namely, Burkina peacebuilding efforts should incorporate inclusive

12/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 approaches and policies involving all stakeholders of outcome will be adopted in a timely manner with a view conflict-affected countries. to enhancing the PBC’s work, including in its relations with the Council. We also call for enhanced coordination and concerted efforts by United Nations agencies to address Mr. Yoshikawa (Japan): I would like to begin by fragmentation and avoid working in silos, as reflected expressing my sincere appreciation to the Permanent in the various reports of the Advisory Group of Experts Representatives of Kenya and Sweden — current on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, and former Chairs of the Peacebuilding Commission the Peacebuilding Commission and resolution 1325 (PBC) — as well as Ambassador Rosenthal, for sharing (2000). We furthermore believe that there is room in their insightful views with us. the review process for recommendations to enhance (spoke in Spanish) the PBC’s engagement and collaboration with regional organizations and actors, as well as with international It is a great pleasure to see Ambassador Rosenthal financial institutions, including through more effective here today. partnerships with such actors. (spoke in English) In that regard, the conclusions emanating from I am also pleased to see the Permanent the Commission’s meeting on transition finance and Representative of Brazil, also a former Chair of the peacebuilding in Somalia on 2 November 2015 could PBC, in the Chamber today. I thank the Permanent prove instructive. In recognizing the woeful state Representative of Angola, who spoke earlier, and the of funding for peacebuilding initiatives, Malaysia Permanent Representative of Australia in moving the reaffirms its support for the recommendation of the review process forward. Advisory Group of Experts that 1 per cent of total contributions to the United Nations peacekeeping Thanks to the initiative of the Venezuelan operations and special political missions budgets presidency, we are meeting in an open format where be allocated to the Peacebuilding Fund, not only as both Security Council members and non-Council a symbolic gesture but also as seed funding towards members are expressing their views. I find that most ensuring predictable and sustainable funding for future fitting, given the nature of today’s topic. The long list of peacebuilding efforts and activities. speakers and the large attendance in the Chamber today also demonstrate the high interest. Having chaired With a view to delivering as one, it is equally the PBC Working Group on Lessons Learned for the important that the relationship between the Commission past two years and having now served in the Security and the Security Council be strengthened. Certain Council for two months, I would like to make a few proposals on reinforcing the Commission’s advisory points on coordination between the Security Council role to the Security Council, including by increasing and the PBC. formal and informal dialogue, closer engagement with penholders and greater coordination and planning of The PBC was establishsed jointly by the Security all activities, including meetings and field visits with Council and the General Assembly out of the recognition the Security Council presidency, can ensure that the that the three pillars of the United Nations — namely, Council integrates important peacebuilding objectives peace and security, development and human rights — are in its deliberations. In our view, that requires only interlinked and mutually reinforcing. The PBC was procedural tweaks. established to complement the peacebuilding efforts of United Nations institutions. Ten years have now In conclusion, Malaysia believes that the present passed since the PBC’s establishment. Now is the time review process affords us a crucial opportunity to for us to make the Commission a body that can better improve the mandate and function of the PBC, which perform its intended function as an advisory body to is a unique entity with enormous potential. The review the Security Council. of the peacebuilding architecture must position the PBC so that it is better able to leverage its strengths in In peacebuilding, the roles of the Security Council advocacy and in promoting and sustaining peace, not and the PBC are differentiated but complementary. The only in post-conflict scenarios but also in a preventive Security Council discharges its responsibility mainly capacity. As such we are hopeful that the review in conflict resolution. The strength of the PBC, on the

16-04784 13/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 other hand, lies in its long-term endeavours to lay the and flexibly would be greatly undermined if we were to groundwork for peace. During my chairmanship of the choose that option. Working Group on Lessons-Learned, that is exactly what Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to we intended to do by highlighting the PBC’s strengths. share with the Council what we wish to do during our The Group discussed challenges faced by post-conflict Council presidency in the month of July. Our Minister countries during and after United Nations mission for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fumio Kishida, announced draw-down and the importance of institution-building earlier today that Japan wishes to hold an open debate as a key priority in conflict-affected countries. on the theme of peacebuilding in Africa in the month of The Group was firmly convinced that strengthening July, and the Minister looks forward to presiding over core State institutions that provide security, justice, the meeting himself. That will demonstrate Japan’s public administration and basic social services was dedication and determination to further contribute to fundamental to a successful transition from post- greater coherence in United Nations peacebuilding conflict situations to lasting peace. Such lessons learned efforts, both at the policy level and on the ground. and the remaining challenges are summarized in the Mr. Seck (Senegal) (spoke in French): I thank two final reports of the Working Group on Lessons the President of the Security Council for having Learned. The reports are an embodiment of the PBC’s taken the initiative to organize this open debate on mandated advisory role, and I hope they will be fully the theme, “Post-conflict peacebuilding, review of utilized in future discussions of the Security Council the peacebuilding architecture”, and for also having and the PBC, and in the ongoing review and beyond. provided a valuable concept note (S/2016/104, annex) to The PBC can be better employed for the prevention of guide our discussion. lapses and relapses into conflicts as well. The PBC Chair Allow me also to thank and congratulate the Chair and the Chairs of the country-specific configurations of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador of the PBC can provide timely information and early Macharia Kamau; his predecessor in that eminent warning to the Security Council. In that context, let me endeavour, Ambassador Olof Skoog; the Chair of the recall that inviting the PBC Chairs to Security Council Guinea-Bissau configuration of the Peacebuilding meetings is something that has already been agreed Commission and former Chair of the PBC, Ambassador in the past presidential notes in 2010 and 2013. The Antonio de Aguiar Patriota; as well as the Chair of PBC Chairs should therefore be invited to participate the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of in Security Council debates, in accordance with those the Peacebuilding Architecture, Ambassador Gert notes, for greater coherence in peacebuilding efforts. I Rosenthal, for their significant contributions. promise to do so during Japan’s presidency. My delegation is pleased that this review has If a conflict occurs, more resources and energy will coincided with the full review of the United Nations be required. Securing sustained attention and resources peacekeeping operations, as well as the review of the for peacebuilding and conflict prevention is very implementation of the Security Council resolution important. There is no denying that the Peacebuilding on women and peace and security. The Organization Fund has proved itself to be an important financial tool must fully draw upon the singular opportunity offered for supporting critical peacebuilding processes in many by those reviews, which are so closely linked, so post-conflict countries. Japan appreciates the Fund’s as to reorient our actions and strategies for a more active performance. Recognizing both the usefulness coordinated and consistent approach and effectively and the current difficulties faced by the Fund, Japan tackle the numerous challenges to international peace will contribute an additional $3.5 million to the Fund by and security. the end of March. That will make our total contribution to the Fund $46 million. I wish to join the Chair of the The prevention of any return to war and the PBC, Ambassador Kamau, in encouraging Member commitment to building peace in the long term so as to States, including non-traditional donors, to consider lastingly rehabilitate societies emerging from conflict making voluntary contributions to the Peacebuilding were the basis for the concept and goal of creating the Fund. That said, Japan does not believe in the “assessed United Nations peacekeeping architecture. As early contribution” option. We are concerned that the Fund’s as in 1992, in “An Agenda for Peace”, Mr. Boutros comparative advantage in being able to respond rapidly Boutros-Ghali — at that time Secretary-General of

14/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 the United Nations — who has recently left us and to PBC. We are of the view that the Council should allow whom we would like to once again pay heartfelt tribute, the PBC to play its advisory role in a more extensive defined post-conflict peacebuilding as manner through more frequent recourse to its services, in particular in the areas of advice, awareness-raising “action to identify and support structures which and resource mobilization. Such a comprehensive will tend to strengthen and solidify peace in order approach should also result in the development of to avoid a relapse into conflict” (S/24111, para. 21). an integrated strategy that combines several fields, Although at that time peacebuilding was understood including security, sustainable development, human first and foremost in terms of military demobilization rights, including gender equality, and the rule of law. and political transition, the peacebuilding agenda To address the existing gaps in the area of and activities have continued to grow increasingly peacebuilding, three fundamental aspects within important and complex since then, with, in particular, the framework of the review — namely, financing, the 1995 publication of Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s national ownership and cooperation with regional supplement to “An Agenda for Peace” (S/1995/1) and, organizations — should capture our attention. While more significantly, with the implementation in 2005 of countries emerging from conflict are in need of long- the Peacebuilding Commission architecture. term and considerable financing, we have found Those tools have certainly allowed us, inter that such financing remains limited, unpredictable alia, to integrate the development dimension into the and difficult to mobilize.In order to ensure that management of post-conflict situations. Nonetheless, peace is lasting, security must go hand in hand with we note that such United Nations endeavours to assist development. Lessons drawn from the peacebuilding the countries in need to extricate themselves from war processes in Africa, in particular in Guinea-Bissau, and move towards lasting peace have not yet reached give us a full idea of how important that is. Countries in their full potential. That is why Senegal welcomes the process of peacebuilding need resources to finance with great interest the report of the Advisory Group projects that can create wealth and jobs, in particular for of Experts (see S/2015/490), which sheds light on the young people and women, who have a key role to play challenges as well as the measures to be taken to fill in the economic and social recovery of the impacted the gaps. One of the salient points of the report of countries. the Advisory Group of Experts is that peacebuilding According to the report of the Advisory Group has been relegated to a peripheral activity. It does not of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding enjoy sufficient financing and comes in only after the Architecture, the Peacebuilding Fund is simply fact and in a fragmented manner. That is symptomatic insufficient to create, by itself, the necessary impact of the gap between the declared ambition and the and is far from achieving its goal of being a catalyst actual interest that we accord to peacebuilding. That for the flow of more significant resources from other is the reason that the delegation of Senegal calls for sources. Furthermore, my delegation supports the the development of a more voluntary, consistent and recommendation of the Advisory Group of Experts that comprehensive approach, so as to break up the silos that the General Assembly consider adopting measures to have led to fragmentation in United Nations system’s ensure that basic financing amounting to $100 million, actions and efforts. which symbolically represents about 1 per cent of The efforts to ensure better coordination and the entire United Nations budget for peacekeeping consistency in our actions should go hand in hand operations, be earmarked for peacebuilding on an with more dynamic interaction among the PBC, the annual basis. It would be drawn from contributions main bodies of the United Nations and the funds and under the Organization’s regular budget. programmes, as well as with international, regional The experience of Guinea-Bissau also demonstrates and local partners. It is only in that manner that we the need to rebuild confidence among various national will manage to strengthen synergies and ensure that stakeholders and make the restoration of confidence one there is better impact on the ground. In that regard, of the national priorities in the peacebuilding process. my delegation would particularly like to emphasize the importance of providing greater impetus to the The principle of national ownership should guide interaction between the Security Council and the all peacebuilding efforts, so as to ensure that there is

16-04784 15/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 better harmony among the offers of assistance and the tenets at that time remain the core of our efforts today, goals in national peacebuilding plans, because it is up to namely, sustaining international attention to countries the country concerned itself to define its priorities. The emerging from conflict, developing more effective Peacebuilding Commission cannot do it for countries. strategies to build peace and continuing to mobilize the necessary resources to prevent a relapse into We must also attach due importance to violent conflict. strengthening cooperation between the Peacebuilding Commission and regional organizations, in particular The United States continues to support the goals the African Union. Given that all of the six countries on of the peacebuilding architecture in service of the the Commission’s agenda are in Africa, it would only important objectives of ensuring that we not only be logical to strengthen the partnership between the respond to symptoms, but also address root causes; African Union and the Peacebuilding Commission, in ensure that we are not only responding to war, but that we particular with regard to development, by considering help to actually build peace; and ensure that the United the nature and challenges of peacebuilding in Africa Nations system is well-positioned to strategically and and by ensuring a rational sharing of the tasks and roles effectively address the needs of countries and regions, involved in providing support to the relevant countries not just while civilians are under attack, but in the days, and a better structured dialogue on the best way for the months and years after a conflict has ended. PBC to support the countries already receiving support While we continue to support those goals, we from the Organization in that regard. also believe that, fundamentally, the peacebuilding In conclusion, I would like to launch an appeal architecture has not lived up to its mandate or fully for better implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), fulfilled the role that it was created to perform. We have which reaffirms the crucial role played by women diagnosed the problem many times in many different in peacebuilding as active participants in all stages forums. Virtually every conflict-affected country of conflict prevention, the settlement of disputes, considered by the Council — from Haiti to Liberia — has peacebuilding and development. Women are an asset struggled with consolidating peace in the aftermath for peace and reconciliation and should be better of conflict. We have seen the devastating human and integrated into peacebuilding processes. The success financial consequences of deadly cycles of relapse in achieved in bringing women on board in the rebuilding recent years, from the Central African Republic to processes in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Rwanda should South Sudan to Burundi. We know that the United guide us to mainstream and strengthen those practices Nations must do a better job of consolidating peace and in all countries. In an effort to integrate the women and preventing such relapses, but we have failed to translate peace and security agenda, and in recognition of the our shared understanding of the problem into practical, importance of the presence of some of the countries achievable and impactful changes in how we actually do of West Africa on the agenda of the Peacebuilding business so as address those challenges. That is why we Commission, the countries of the region, with the agree with many of the assessments and support many of support of the United Nations, adopted in 2010 the the recommendations of the Advisory Group of Experts Dakar Declaration on the implementation of resolution on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, 1325 (2000) in West Africa, as well as a related regional including the conclusion that peacebuilding remains plan of action. underrecognized, underprioritized and underresourced globally within the United Nations system. With the Mr. Pressman (United States of America): I thank ongoing peacebuilding architecture review in mind, I you, Mr. President, for convening this open debate on would like to lay out the vision of the United States for peacebuilding. I would also like to thank Ambassadors what a strong, coordinated and effective peacebuilding Kamau, Skoog and Rosenthal for their briefings and for architecture should look like. their important work to assist the world’s most fragile First, the primary challenge is not necessarily countries in building sustainable peace. a lack of resources — which is too often our first This meeting is especially important in the light of port of call when efforts at the United Nations are the ongoing review of the United Nations peacekeeping underperforming — it is a lack of coherence. The architecture — an architecture that Member States complex nature of conflict means that United Nations developed over a decade ago. Three of the most crucial entities must work in a more coordinated fashion.

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Conflict prevention, conflict management and post- translate into actions. Smaller, flexible and informal conflict stabilization efforts by the various parts of focus groupings of Member States that are willing to the United Nations system must go hand in hand if put diplomatic muscle and resources into advancing peacebuilding efforts are to succeed. peace in a particular country would serve us all well. We have seen examples recently in Sri Lanka and Of course, we also urge the Peacebuilding in Sierra Leone of how an internally coherent approach Commission to continue to work closely with can meaningfully help countries recover from conflict. regional and multilateral organizations, including the With an initial commitment of $3 million from the international financial institutions, in peacebuilding Peacebuilding Fund, several United Nations entities, efforts. The recent briefing from the International including the Department of Political Affairs, the Monetary Fund and the World Bank representatives Office of the United Nations High Commissioner to the PBC Burundi configuration exemplifies how for Human Rights, the United Nations Development the Peacebuilding Commission provides a really Programme and the Peacebuilding Support Office, crucial link between United Nations Headquarters along with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and and the international financial institutions whose the United Nations country team, are working together economic expertise in the field is essential to post- with the Government of Sri Lanka to promote effective conflict contexts. transitional justice mechanisms that are sensitive to the different ways in which conflict has affected Sri Our vision for the peacebuilding architecture Lankan men and women. Importantly, local Sri Lankan includes a continued role for the Peacebuilding Fund, provincial councils are receiving capacity-building which we have long viewed as a nimble and effective rapid so as to help them address grievances on the part of response tool for conflict prevention and peacebuilding internally displaced persons, members of minority support. The Peacebuilding Fund was among the first groups and other vulnerable populations by facilitating to fund a new multipartner trust fund in Colombia to their resettlement on land once occupied by the military. respond to stabilitization and peacebuilding needs. With that initiative, the Peacebuilding Fund is serving as an In Sierra Leone, the integrative work of successive effective rapid-response tool for conflict prevention United Nations missions, the country team and the and peacebuilding support. The Peacebuilding Fund, Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Commission country- along with the United Nations special monitoring specific configuration have been critical to breaking and verification mission, the United Nations country the cycle of violence and have provided space for team and other multilateral donors will play a critical Sierra Leoneans to focus on prosperity, development role helping Colombia transition into a post-accord and democratic elections instead of war, isolation and environment. We believe that the Peacebuilding Fund’s conflict. Sierra Leone has held three peaceful and work in Colombia will help generate tangible and credible elections since the end of the civil war in inclusive peace dividends to boost public confidence 2002, and new institutions are rising to the challenge in the peace process and help generate the conditions of being responsive to its citizens. Support from the necessary to implement the peace accords. United Nations, including the sustained engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) country-specific We know there are no easy solutions for societies configuration and its admirable leadership from the recovering from conflict. We also know that only Canadian Mission, has been critical to that transition. through coherence of effort, seriousness of purpose and more flexibility in approach can the United Nations The United States also envisions a Peacebuilding system more fully seize all opportunities to continue Commission that can broaden its reach across the United to build our capacity to consolidate peace. We see Nations and the broader international community. We the ongoing peacebuilding architecture review as a support changes to the Peacebuilding Commission’s valuable opportunity to do just that. country-specific configurations so that they are smaller, more flexible, informal and better tailored Mr. Rycroft (United Kingdom): I thank you, groupings among Member States. The last thing we Mr. President, for convening this open debate. I also need at the United Nations is another set of meetings in want to thank Ambassadors Kamau, Skoog and which diplomats gather to express their concerns about Rosenthal for their thoughtful contributions to this the same problems over and over. We need ideas that debate and to this agenda.

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John F. Kennedy once said, “the mere absence of need to continue and enhance that close collaboration war is not peace”. His words over half a century ago with regional organizations, and we should draw on the go to the heart of the issue we are discussing today, support and advice of the Peacebuilding Commission the issue of peacebuilding. Today it is no longer too, as our briefers today advised us. enough just to stop the fighting. How many issues on Secondly, it is clear that crisis have often been the Security Council’s agenda are a result of countries brought before the Council too late for effective relapsing into conflict? How many are due to leaders preventive action. We need to improve our ability to failing to capitalize on the absence of war, or failing to tackle potential risks to stability before they escalate. build peace and prosperity for their citizens? Today I To do so, we need to match early warning with early would like to talk about Burundi, a country that sadly fits that mold. action. That is the best way to prevent enormous human suffering, and it is also much more cost effective than As Security Council members saw at first-hand last dealing with conflicts and their aftermath. Can we say month, that small, poor yet beautiful country has suffered honestly that we achieved that on Burundi? We visited a great deal. Just over a decade since the end of the civil twice in a year. Did we not we all see the warning war — a war that claimed 300,000 lives — it now stands signs? I learned from our visit that improved horizon on the precipice of civil war again. It is clear that the scanning was really of no use on its own. We have dividends of 11 years of peace have been squandered. In to do something as a result. The Council needs to be response, we in the Security Council have been united proactive and action-oriented and to mobilize the tools in our demands to President Nkurunziza to de-escalate at our disposal to prevent relapses into violence. the tensions, begin dialogue with the opposition and agree to a deployment of some form of international Thirdly, we need to improve our ability to sustain presence, as originally proposed by the African Union. peace after the fighting has stopped. We must avoid But as we drove through Bujumbura last month, I could the peacebuilding gap when peacekeeping missions not help but think whether there was more that we — the transition out of a country and international attention Council, the United Nations, regional actors — could falls away. Perhaps that is the greatest lesson to learn have done to prevent a return to violence. I hope that in from Burundi. Sustaining engagement is challenging. the Chamber today we can all consider what more we The Peacebuilding Commission provides a good way can do in the future to prevent what we saw in Burundi to continue the political support and to draw together from happening again elsewhere. the United Nations system and Member States and the international financial institutions. Similarly, the We have plenty to guide us — reviews of Peacebuilding Fund does excellent work, and I would peacekeeping, of peacebuilding, of women and peace like to encourage all Member States to join us in making and security, all agreed last year. But if we are to voluntary contributions to that effective tool. avoid a failure in peacebuilding, whether in Burundi or elsewhere, people on the ground need more that just Fourthly, building peace must mean building words on paper. They need meaningful action from the peace for all — for men, women, children, minorities, Council and others. I see five steps to take. the vulnerable, for those in Government and for those in opposition. The peacebuilding review tells us First, a key theme of those review reports is the that building and sustaining peace rests on a social centrality of political will at the national and the consensus behind that peace. That is why inclusive international levels to build and sustain peace. But dialogue is so important in Burundi. And so we even when the Council is united, as we have been welcome the Secretary-General’s visit to Burundi on Burundi, our efforts can be dampened by a lack today and the progress he has made on that inclusive of political will by just one person — in this case dialogue. More broadly, as we provide practical support President Nkurunziza. We therefore need to bring for development, for services and for jobs in countries pressure to bear on those who refuse to find common emerging from conflict, let us all do so in a way that ground, who will not engage in dialogue, who exhibit fosters inclusivity. no trace of the political will needed to sustain peace. To do so, let us recognize that the Council is not alone Fifthly, and finally, we need a whole-of-system in the fight. Burundi shows us the vital importance of approach that bridges the usual United Nations silos regional organizations, such as the African Union. We so that the system together is more than the sum of

18/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 its parts. When the Security Council reaches across elections and the Special Criminal Court. Such projects those divides, it is not encroachment; it is necessary are concrete and assist in the stabilization of the joining up. I encourage other bodies too to join up Central African Republic, as decided by the Security across the gaps, and I point to goal 16 of the Sustainable Council in coordination with transitional authorities, Development Goals of doing that. but their implementation requires monitoring and If we can take those five steps, we can build support that only the Central African Republic country something really sustainable and, in doing so, ensure configuration can effectively provide. Similarly, that the absence of war, as John F. Kennedy put it, regular visits to the Great Lakes region organized by the really does lead to a more permanent peace. Swiss chairmanship of the Burundi configuration are particularly useful and welcome, to the extent that they Mr. Lamek (France) (spoke in French): I should operate in the framework of excellent complementarity also like to begin by thanking Ambassadors Kamau, with initiatives taken by the Council to find a solution Skoog and Rosenthal for their respective valuable to the crisis in Burundi. contributions to this debate. It is equally important to ensure that the Peacebuilding is an essential subject, and we all Peacebuilding Commission organizes its work in the agree on highlighting its importance. We are also in most effective way possible to ensure flexibility in full agreement that the United Nations needs to do reviewing records and also to focus in its meetings on more in this area. In that regard, today’s open debate operational and concrete issues. From that point of view, is a very relevant and timely topic. The report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts on the I would like to congratulate the Swedish Ambassador Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, issued in for his work in that area during Sweden’s chairmanship June 2015, includes a number of interesting proposals. of the Commission. I also congratulate the Ambassador The draft resolution on the peacebuilding architecture of Kenya on his election as head of the PBC and wish that is currently being debated in the General Assembly him every success in his chairmanship. is also an opportunity to improve United Nations action Finally, with regard to financing, we welcome the in this area. For France, that improvement needs to be activities of the Peacebuilding Fund. It is also is essential structured around the following points. to maintain the voluntary nature of contributions to First of all, we must ensure that the Peacebuilding continue to ensure genuine transparency and monitoring Commission (PBC) fully complements and supports of the commitments of the Fund. However, it must also Security Council efforts. That is key to ensuring a be acknowledged that the efficacy of peacebuilding is fully coherent message from the United Nations on not merely a financial issue. From that perspective, it the different situations of which we are seized. For is important to emphasize efforts to coordinate on the example, the Peacebuilding Commission could play ground the work of the United Nations in the area of an important role in maintaining political mobilization peacebuilding, as well as with international financial on specific situations, and thus could assist in the institutions. In that regard, the role of the Resident implementation of actions undertaken. In that regard, Coordinator must be supported and strengthened. the Peacebuilding Commission can help mobilize the partners involved in implementing Council resolutions, France is particularly committed to strengthening such as donors, the United Nations system and the United Nations efforts in the area of peacebuilding. international organizations. We hope that today’s debate and discussions on the General Assembly draft resolution will contribute to In addition, in some cases the Peacebuilding this objective shared by all. Commission plays a much appreciated advisory role vis-à-vis the Security Council, including through field Mr. Iliichev (Russian Federation) (spoke in Russian): visits by its members. The work of the Commission I would like to thank you, Sir, for having convened must be guided in that direction so that it can today’s meeting. This is a timely exchange of views that effectively support the Council’s work. For example, we hope will help us find a common denominator during we appreciate the role played by Morocco as Chair the current talks on a draft resolution in the General of the Central African Republic country-specific Assembly and in Security Council on the reform of the configuration and its efforts to support the financing of United Nations peacebuilding architecture.

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We carefully listened to the briefings by the lasting peace, as they can and must do their utmost to current and outgoing Chairs of the Peacebuilding assist the peace process, shoulder responsibility and Commission — the Permanent Representatives of more fully realize their constructive potential. That is Sweden and Kenya — as well as by Mr. Gert Rosenthal, why inclusive national processes and a single vision Chair of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review within countries based on shared responsibility for of the United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture. lasting peace are of critical importance. Peacebuilding systems are one of the most We recognize the productive role of women in important instruments of the United Nations for peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, as well as effectively resolving conflicts, stabilizing post-conflict the importance of their equitable participation in that situations and preventing new outbreaks of disastrous process. However, we believe that excessive focus crises. We welcome the contribution made to the on the gender issue is counterproductive, as there is process by the report of the Advisory Group of Experts no direct link with the root causes of conflict — and (see S/2015/490). The document offers a basis on which eradicating such root causes is the main task. Member States can take informed decisions. Currently, there are ongoing discussions at the inter-State level With regard to the United Nations peacebuilding regarding which of the constructive recommendations architecture, the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) — a could be implemented in practice. The report stresses singular, intergovernmental advisory body — plays a key the need for peacebuilding efforts at all stages of the role. We support its efforts to increase the effectiveness conflict cycle. and coordination of international assistance to countries that have requested such assistance or to those countries Without a doubt, preventing the resumption of that are placed on its agenda by the Security Council. conflict takes up much of the international agenda. We believe that the PBC will continue to increase Seventy years ago, the task was enshrined in Chapter the quality of its advisory assistance to the Security I of the Charter of the United Nations, and the Council regarding countries within the remit of both Organization subsequently took additional decisions on bodies. We expect that the work conducted by the Group that important sphere of activity, which strengthened of Experts will, in the final stage, be carried forward the basis for international efforts in that area. We think by Member States through specific steps to increase it is necessary to draw on the expertise and know-how the Commission’s effectiveness, while preserving we have garnered over time. its mandate in accordance with General Assembly Furthermore, the report of the Group of Experts calls resolution 60/180 and Council resolution 1645 (2005). on States to look into the concept of sustaining peace, We also note the role of the Peacebuilding Fund which concerns reconciliation and building a common (PBF), which is an important mechanism for urgent vision of a society that only national stakeholders financing that brings in long-term resources for aid can undertake. The United Nations and international in rebuilding and development. We have constantly entities can support and facilitate the process, but not advocated the country principle in the distribution lead it. We fully agree that the primary responsibility of the PBF’s funds. It is important that the work of for defining priorities and implementing strategies is the Fund be buoyed by relevant financial resources. borne by States themselves and that corresponding Member States need to take a look at the possibility international efforts should be focused, first of all, on of more actively and voluntarily providing assistance. capacity-building in affected countries. That assistance Each year, Russia provides the Fund with $2 million, should be provided to States upon request, in line with with a total contribution of $12 million. It would be their action plans and based on the national sovereignty useful to take a closer look at all existing possibilities and independence of States. for raising funds, but the idea of moving the PBF to We are sure that the principle of national the regular budget is contradictory. That step would not responsibility is the linchpin in peacebuilding only create an additional load for payers in a difficult efforts. In current crises, which are often domestic, economic context, but would also strip the Fund of its national Governments continue to bear the primary chief advantage, which is effectiveness and flexibility responsibility for their people’s security. At the same in chanelling funds to meet the urgent needs of States time, societies themselves play a key role in creating calling for assistance. On the whole, we would like

20/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 to see PBC interaction with international financial revitalization are all priorities without which sustained institutions be bolstered. peacebuilding is impossible. My country believes that in such cases, developing national capacities should be While many initiatives developed outside the United Nations merit our attention in general, they the focus of all international efforts from the earliest cannot be automatically considered to be already stages of the process. approved and officially adopted by the Organization, We should also emphasize the role of peacekeeping and that definitely applies to the so-called New Deal for staff in the early stages of peacebuilding in key areas Engagement in Fragile States, launched in line with the such as the provision of security and strengthening policies of the Organization for Economic Cooperation of the rule of law; disarmament, demobilization and Development. and reintegration; security-sector reform and even In conclusion, would like to emphasize that the the expansion of State authority. Such support is issue of adapting the United Nations peacebuilding particularly crucial in the early stages, when a country architecture to modern realities requires a responsible, is transitioning to the consolidation phase or when the balanced and in-depth discussion. It is vital that we tasks of both maintaining and building peace must be achieve the kind of result that will help to build peace carried out simultaneously. rather than create new risks. Uruguay agrees with the view expressed in Mr. Rosselli (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): I Venezuela’s concept note of the role that regional and would like to begin by thanking the presidency of the subregional organizations, along with international Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for convening today’s financial institutions, should play in helping to create open debate and for the concept note on the subject an environment conducive to lasting peace in countries (S/2016/104, annex). I would also like to commend emerging from conflict, and we emphasize the Ambassadors Kamau, Skoog and Rosenthal for their importance of developing strategic alliances between informative briefings. them and the United Nations. Uruguay views the reform of our peacebuilding Uruguay would like to stress the key role of women architecture as an integral part of the broader review in building and maintaining peace, to which end we process of the peace and security components of the must ensure their recruitment to political leadership United Nations, and we believe it is essential that roles in United Nations peacebuilding programmes and we adapt its peace and security activities to the new strategies. In that regard, it is crucial to ensure that the challenges presented by the international scene. In that Peacebuilding Commission systematically incorporates context, we support the other review efforts currently a gender perspective into all of its regulatory and under way concerning peacekeeping operations and promotion activities, in collaboration with UN-Women. the women and peace and security agenda, since we believe it is crucial to ensure that they are conducted in The report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory concordance and coherently so as to optimize the use of Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding existing resources. Architecture, chaired by Ambassador Rosenthal, Peacebuilding is a complex process, in both the includes highly relevant recommendations that have medium and long terms, encompassing a very broad been discussed and analysed in the context of the spectrum of tasks and actors that have to be integrated negotiations being co-facilitated by the delegations and coordinated with the Government of the country of Angola and Australia. Peacebuilding should be concerned in the creation of dialogue and peace addressed as an inherently political process that processes that are inclusive and representative of society requires the active participation of the State concerned as a whole. Respect for human rights, strengthening and a long-term commitment from the United Nations the rule of law and creating economic development are system. In that context, we must respect the principle central to the work of peacebuilding. In that regard, of national ownership, in the belief that achieving long- supporting the Government institutions that provide term sustainable peace depends largely on forging a essential services, reintegrating those returning to their comprehensive partnership that includes national actors homes, creating jobs as quickly as possible, restoring from the country in question. Peacebuilding cannot be basic infrastructure and various aspects of economic limited to post-conflict situations as long as its goal

16-04784 21/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 is to prevent the emergence of conflict as well as its operations. The painful question that many of us must recurrence or continuation. ask is: have they died in vain? Within the peacebuilding architecture, the The President (spoke in Spanish): I shall now make Commission is a fundamental tool for ensuring timely a statement in my national capacity. and sustained support to countries during critical We would like to express our appreciation for their stages of their development, while recognizing their excellent briefings to Ambassador Macharia Kamau, specific needs and situations. The review process Permanent Representative of Kenya and Chair of the is an opportunity to strengthen the Commission’s Peacebuilding Commission; Ambassador Olof Skoog, performance while improving its role as an adviser to former Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission; and the Security Council and the General Assembly. We Ambassador Gert Rosenthal, Chair of the Advisory should make use of its advisory role to the Council more Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding often, especially in the case of States with situations on Architecture. We also thank Ambassador De Aguiar the Council’s agenda and those that have been assigned Patriota, Permanent Representative of Brazil, for his country teams. invaluable support during his time as Chair of the Uruguay considers the Peacebuilding Commission’s Commission. We would like to thank everyone for their lack of predictable funding a major challenge. It should participation in today’s open debate on peacebuilding, be able to rely on sufficient resources, which is why which is being held concurrently with a major Uruguay supports the recommendation of the Advisory intergovernmental negotiation process in the General Group that the Commission be assigned a symbolic 1 per Assembly, facilitated by Ambassadors Gillian Bird and Gaspar Martins, the Permanent Representatives of cent of the overall budget for peacekeeping operations. Australia and Angola. So far, I have listed the areas that we think need Peacebuilding involves a range of long-term to be reformed if we are to make the peacebuilding political, institutional and development activities that architecture more effective. But in all sincerity, I have seek to address the root causes of conflicts, prevent to say that it is impossible to contemplate this issue them from recurring and achieve sustainable and lasting without calling attention to the irresponsibility — for peace. The visionary 1992 report of Secretary-General that is what it is — of some of the rulers of some of Boutros Boutros-Ghali “An Agenda for Peace” (S/24111) the countries that are either part of the Peacebuilding laid the foundation for the United Nations system to Commission’s programmes or the object of establish what came to be known as the peacebuilding peacekeeping operations. Most of their time is spent architecture, made up of the Peacebuilding Commission, playing sterile political games in their attempts to cling the Peacebuilding Fund and the Peacebuilding Support to power, pure and simple, rather than facing up to the Office. Last year, on occasion of the tenth anniversary immense challenges ahead of them with civic courage. of the establishment of that architecture, the report (see Some of us are tired. We are sick of seeing whole S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts on the societies suffering from hunger, insecurity, disease Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture examined and violations of their personal dignity and most basic the activities of that architecture over recent years. The rights when they are not being persecuted, jailed or conclusions of the report prompt us to reflect deeply on killed, while their rulers fight to keep or seize power, how the United Nations addresses peacebuilding. and in their quest for it cancel, postpone and manipulate Peacebuilding processes are non-linear and are elections, change or attempt to change constitutions and much more lengthy and costly than anticipated in 2005, foment grotesque nationalisms or religious or ethnic when the peacebuilding architecture was established. rivalries, shamelessly violating the solemn promises We are talking about structural changes that could they have made to their peoples or the international take up to a generation to bear fruit. That requires community. The international community has given the Organization to update and adapt its projections some of those countries not only effort, material goods and its models to achieve lasting peace in countries and vast amounts of money but also, and far more in post-conflict situations. We must leave behind important, the lives of the servants of humanitarian templates that call for mechanical and unnecessarily organizations and those deployed in peacekeeping rigid and overly accelerated peacebuilding processes.

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Mediation processes, peace agreements, the drafting of the country entered into a prolonged, ongoing state of constitutions and the holding of elections need to be political instability — without institutions, without much more representative and inclusive of local aspects, infrastructure, without public services, without as well as more cognizant of the political context of the security, without means of survival and without a stable countries in question. economy — but with the most sophisticated weapons on the market, the presence of non-State armed groups, In addition, peacebuilding processes must be the division of the country and the ensuing political accompanied by the ongoing political presence and and economic instability. The need for peacebuilding attention of the United Nations. Although capacity- in those brotherly Arab countries is one of the main and institution-building in countries in post-conflict challenges and responsibilities of the United Nations, situations indeed require technical expertise, and in particular of the Security Council. peacebuilding is first and foremost an inherently political process. As some case studies have revealed, The crisis of migrants crossing the Mediterranean once peacekeeping operations or special political Sea from North Africa — who risk their lives and those missions withdraw from the field, we see a substantive of their children — is a harrowing indicator of the political divestment on the part of the United Nations need to strengthen the peacebuilding architecture. The system. That approach cannot continue. In order to be majority of those migrants come from African countries effective and durable, peacebuilding processes require that have emerged from conflict but are unable to build sustained funding and political attention for prolonged peace, re-establish the minimal conditions necessary periods. That reality ought to be a priority for the States for a decent life for people or to rebuild their societies Members of the Organization, which should take the or their economies. necessary steps to address it. Peacebuilding will be possible only to the extent The United Nations currently devotes little political that the root causes of conflict are addressed; otherwise, attention and few resources to peacebuilding. That is we will face increasing and recurring conflicts rooted directly related to the budgetary allocation of resources primarily in the weakness of State institutions in post- and represents one of the causes of the relapses into conflict countries. We should place greater emphasis on conflict in many countries. The United Nations tends reactivating sustainable socioeconomic development in to be reactive when addressing conflicts, favouring the countries in post-conflict situations. We cannot expect use of short-term security and humanitarian measures to build peace if at the same time we ignore the need to the detriment of long-term actions that could address of the people to meet their most basic socioeconomic the root causes of conflict. That is clearly reflected needs, secure the means to earn a living and provide in the distribution of resources: while the budget for the basis for inclusive development with social justice. humanitarian assistance has reached $24.5 billion and Therefore, giving people the means to join the economy the budget for peacekeeping operations is $8 billion, the and integrate into society and creating the foundation budget of the Peacebuilding Fund is a mere $100 million for inclusive, sustainable and equitable growth should per year, to distributed among 22 countries. be part of any peacebuilding process. However, little or no attention at all is directed towards meeting On the topic of peacebuilding, the Security Council those needs. There is not even clarity in studies or has a great deal to do with regard to the manner in in institutional practice on how to re-energize the which it deals with conflicts. It seems the Security economies and institutions of countries emerging Council has a predilection for implementing Chapter from conflict. For Venezuela, that is one of the central VII of the Charter of the United Nations, instead of issues of peacebuilding, which should be given the Chapters devoted to the prevention of conflict, which requisite attention. further exacerbates the situation in post-conflict countries. Few cases illustrate that pattern as clearly On the other hand, the recovery of countries as does the case of Libya. Following the adoption of emerging from conflicts must not include coercive resolution 1973 (2011) and the establishment a no-fly measures on the part of international institutions that zone, an international military coalition authorized place onerous and unfair conditions on those countries, by the Security Council spent billions of dollars to particularly if those measures violate the country’s overthrow the Libyan Government. After the military sovereignty. There is a need for more resources to the intervention in Libya, as had occurred earlier in Iraq, socioeconomic development of countries emerging

16-04784 23/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 from conflict that include differentiated and beneficial Mr. Lukšić (Montenegro): Montenegro is pleased is conditions. Preferential and differentiated conditions pleased to contribute to this important open debate and should be established in the international financial commends Venezuela’s strong commitment to the issue system in order to provide direct support to countries before us. We thank the Advisory Group of Experts that have brought war to an end and do not want to go on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture for back to the path of conflict. In particular, we have been its valuable review report (see S/2015/490), as well as very concerned that countries emerging from conflict today’s briefers for their valuable presentations, which should have the necessary capacities to manage their have reminded us of the relevance of this agenda item own economies and natural resources — a necessity for to the Security Council. all our countries. Montenegro aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union. As Latin Americans, we find two cases to be However, I would like to make some additional remarks emblematic cases, namely, those of Haiti and Colombia. in my national capacity. The case of Haiti serves to illustrate the need to maintain both respect for a country’s sovereignty and The challenges that we face today are real and ongoing support to help it overcome terrible economic serious. The effects of the evolving nature of modern conditions left after so many years of conflict. And the conflicts and the more complex security landscape will case of Colombia gives us hope that the international be felt for years to come, but the landmark achievements community will help the Colombian people to navigate of the past year, especially those marked by the peace and create the necessary social and economic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General conditions so that such a heartbreaking conflict never Assembly resolution 70/1), offer hope and an opportunity again reoccurs. to make substantial changes for the common good. The three reviews initiated under the peace and security I would like once again to acknowledge the vision pillar are also critical to our work within those valuable of the late former Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- guidelines and to efforts to improve our response to the Ghali, whom we pay tribute to. We sincerely hope changing global security environment. The time has that today’s open debate will lead us to think further come, therefore, for challenges to be addressed more about how the international community and the United decisively by a strengthened and more effective United Nations can address peacebuilding and contribute to Nations, as the vision of our founding fathers has not the consultation and negotiation processes to take place yet been fully carried out. Allow me to concentrate on in other United Nations organs. several issues. I now resume my functions as President of the I find the Advisory Group of Experts’ report Council. particularly relevant to our discussion today and as well as to our future activities with regard to peacebuilding. I would like to remind all speakers to limit their It is striking that, after all of our accumulated experience statements to a maximum of four minutes, so that and institutional memory, we have stated today that the Council can carry out its work expeditiously. peace is underrecognized, underprioritized and Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly underresourced, not only globally but also within the requested to distribute their texts in writing and deliver United Nations. That especially concerns the prevention a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber. I of conflicts, and that is why I would like to underline would also like to appeal to speakers to deliver their the significance of the United Nations early detection statements at a reasonable speed, so that the interpreters and early warning mechanisms. The Security Council can perform their job as precisely as possible. I wish to must consider how to make better use of the options at inform all concerned that we will be continuing this its disposal for preventing the emergence of conflicts. open debate right through the lunch hour, as we have a We believe that a shift from the perception of failures to very large number of speakers. act to a culture of prevention or early action continues to be essential and require political will and leadership I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Igor on the part of all actors. Montenegro highly values the Lukšić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Human Rights Up Front initiative and strongly supports Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro. efforts to make it a greater priority. Mediation must

24/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 also receive greater attention and resources, because it values of the respect for life, justice, solidarity, human represents such a cost-effective tool. rights and equality between women and men. Another aspect to consider is the establishment We should keep in mind that the risk of extremism, of closer and more frequent dialogues between the terrorism, organized crime and conflict increases where Security Council and the Geneva-based human rights people have no education and no hope for the future, and architecture, especially with special procedures mandate where there is exclusion and a lack of development. It holders and with the Office of the United Nations High drives migration from countries emerging from conflict, Commissioner for Human Rights. Their capacities and experiencing fragile peace and institution-building, and recommendations can prove to be valuable in directing where reform is of crucial importance. The promotion attention to the human rights violations and risk of efforts to sustain peace must be broadly shared and factors that could cause the escalation of crises. As a involve all groups of society, particularly women and member State of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), youth. We should recognize women as vital assets for Montenegro believes that the Commission’s potential societies, and not simply as victims. The potential of could be better exploited by keeping in mind its unique youth should also be utilized and not undermined, as role. We also believe that it is necessary to further is often the case. We believe that it is crucial to involve improve the complementarity of the work carried out by women and youth in the peacebuilding process as the PBC and the Security Council, in order to maximize stakeholders and decision-makers. That enables them their joint impact in preventing conflict and in sustaining to acquire ownership of the policies that affect them peace. The cooperation partnership between the United and all of us. Nations and regional and subregional organizations in Montenegro will continue to play its part in the area of peacebuilding should also be strengthened, efforts to contribute to a more effective peacebuilding based on each party’s comparative advantage, with a architecture and ensure a comprehensive approach view to enhancing their global impact. They possess to peacebuilding. valuable assets, such as knowledge and understanding of the crisis; but, of equal importance, they ensure the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the involvement of the countries that are directly affected. floor to the representative of Hungary. It is a fact that development is considered to be the Ms. Bogyay (Hungary): Hungary supports all best resilience-builder of all. That is why achieving efforts aimed at making peacebuilding more effective sustainable development is seen as an essential and recognizes the need to apply a holistic and conflict-prevention tool. Addressing human rights integrated approach to sustaining peace. I wish to violations as early as possible and ensuring respect thank Venezuela for having convened this very timely for human rights are also crucial to peacebuilding. open debate. That brings us to the very pertinent, yet challenging, While we fully support the statement to be delivered issue of the interconnectedness and reinforcement of later on behalf of the European Union, please allow me the three pillars of the United Nations. There is an to add several observations in my national capacity. obvious need for a more comprehensive and integrated approach to peacebuilding through peace and security First, we believe that much stronger emphasis development and human rights engagement within the should be placed on conflict prevention through early prescribed mandates. We must work towards enhancing engagement and by using all available tools for early partnerships among the main United Nations bodies in warning and political mediation in order to prevent order to avoid fragmentation and build coherence in the outbreak or escalation of conflicts. We fully collective efforts at intergovernmental and operational believe that peacebuilding must be understood as an levels. Without that kind of approach, our progress inherently political process that requires strengthening will be limited in its results and effects. However, the the synergy among the related efforts of conflict maintenance of international peace and security is not prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, recovery and only a task to be carried out by the United Nations and development. Hungary also particularly welcomes the other international organizations. It is a process of call for strengthening the role of global and regional individual, collective and institutional transformation, a partnerships aimed at peacebuilding, with a special process of inclusive development based on the universal focus on prevention and mediation. We believe that

16-04784 25/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 there is a need to further strengthen the formal and Mrs. Bailey: Like other speakers before me, informal mechanisms of engagement at the strategic let me start by commending you, Mr. President, for level, including, if possible, through the adoption organizing this important Security Council open by the Security Council of a clearer methodology debate on the theme “Post-conflict peacebuilding: for consulting with its counterparts at the regional review of the peacebuilding architecture”. I would and subregional levels. We are of the view that the also like to thank the Chair of the Peacebuilding great potential for effective partnerships between the Commission, Ambassador Kamau; the former Chair United Nations and international financial institutions of the Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador should be fully utilized. In addition, we consider the Skoog; as well as Ambassador De Aguiar Patriota and engagement of civil society, religious leaders, local Ambassador Rosenthal, for their respective briefings. communities and women and youth groups as also being Today’s open debate is very timely, as we are essential in assisting the realization of sustained peace. reaching the final stages of the review process of the The Hungarian Government is of the view that, United Nations peacebuilding architecture. The African in order to be successful in preventing conflicts or Union (AU) attaches importance to that process, which rebuilding conflict-torn countries, we must tackle the represents, in our view, an excellent opportunity not root causes. Hungary, as co-Chair of the Open Working only to improve the orientation and functioning of Group on Sustainable Development Goals, worked the institutional components of the peacebuilding with Member States to ensure that Goal 16 explicitly architecture, but also to strengthen its effectiveness in recognized the linkage between peace, inclusion, helping the countries concerned to lay the foundation sustainable development, justice and accountability. for durable peace and development. The importance of women’s participation in As everyone is aware, Africa has been the major peacebuilding cannot be overemphasized. Women are regional focus of the United Nations peacebuilding crucial partners in the transition from war to peace. architecture over the past decade. All of the countries on They are key agents for promoting social cohesion, the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission are from political legitimacy and economic recovery. That is Africa. African countries have received approximately especially relevant in places where peace has broken 80 per cent of the Peacebuilding Fund’s allocations over down and conflict has shifted the focus away from the period 2007 to 2014. Therefore, the experience of the cooperation towards division and hatred. We hope that African countries on the Peacebuilding Commission’s the outcome of the peacebuilding review process will agenda offers a vital source of lessons learned that adequately recognize that fact. could benefit the ongoing review process. In that context, I would also like to stress that Despite the general improvement in the conflict education in general — in particular that of women, situations on the continent, recent experiences have youth and marginalized groups — also has an important clearly shown that the risk of relapse into conflict role to play, both in preventing conflicts and in post- remains very high and that the peacebuilding gains are conflict peacebuilding. We deem the realization of still very fragile, in particular during the early stages the right to education to be the cornerstone of lasting of a transition, as demonstrated by the Ebola crisis peace, since ignorance, misunderstanding, the erosion in West Africa. It is important, therefore, to identify policies and programmes that allow three initiatives of culture and the loss of cultural identity are often the to be undertaken: first, addressing the root causes starting points for fanaticism and conflicts. of conflicts; secondly, speeding up reconstruction Let me conclude my statement by emphasizing activities; and, thirdly, consolidating peace, thereby that ensuring accountability for serious international preventing a return to violence. crimes — given its proven deterrent effect — should Throughout that process, international support be a key component of peacebuilding efforts. Bringing will amount to little if no corresponding effort exists perpetrators to justice helps to heal the wounds of to mobilize adequate resources for the implementation societies torn apart by such crimes. of the priorities defined. Needless to say, the challenges The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the facing countries emerging from conflict are enormous. floor to the observer of the African Union. They often include the need to transform war-

26/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 weakened economies and highly polarized political Union’s Peace and Security Council, in 2014, should be and social relations, as well as the need to strengthen followed up and become institutionalized so as to gain the State apparatus so that Governments can fulfil the greater coherence on strategic priorities between the roles critical to social and economic well-being. No PBC and the PSC. significant progress can be made without adequate financial resources and technical assistance to assist Thirdly, the high-level exchanges between the AU the countries concerned in facing those challenges. and the PBC need to be underpinned by a desk-to-desk exchange between the Peacebuilding Support Office, Over the past decade, the African Union has the relevant departments of the AU Commission and increasingly affirmed its readiness and capacity to the relevant parts of regional mechanisms. engage in peacebuilding activities based on the African Union post-conflict reconstruction and development Fourthly, the PBC should encourage AU efforts, policy, adopted in 2006, as well as on the relevant including by supporting the African Solidarity Initiative provisions of the protocol relating to the establishment in developing its database of support from African of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union. countries to other countries emerging from conflict. As part of the implementation of the policy, the AU In conclusion, the AU hopes that the ongoing Commission has undertaken a number of measures. United Nations review will provide concrete results that They include the identification of experts to be included will improve the implementation of the noble agenda of in an African experts database on peacebuilding, the peacebuilding. For its part, the AU remains committed development of guidelines for the implementation to assuming its responsibilities in that regard in full of specific activities related to the policy and the organization of assessment missions to countries cooperation with the United Nations. emerging from conflict. The AU has also raised funds The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the to support quick-impact projects in countries emerging floor to the representative of Kazakhstan. from conflict, including Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, the Comoros and South Sudan, so as to lay the foundation Mr. Abdrakhmanov (Kazakhstan): I thank today’s for long-term sustainable development. In addition, briefers and commend the presidency of the Bolivarian in 2012, the AU launched the African Solidarity Republic of Venezuela for convening this open debate Initiative, which is aimed at mobilizing a higher level on the review of the peacebuilding architecture at a time of support, particularly from Africa, for post-conflict when we are at a crossroads, confronted by protracted reconstruction and development efforts. The initiative conflicts, violent extremism, cyberinsecurity and was designed to encourage, motivate and empower destabilized societies — problems that are in turn African countries to begin systematically offering aggravated by climate change, cross-border economic assistance to post-conflict countries. shocks, transnational crime and massive population flows. We therefore need to assess the performance In that context, the AU Peace and Security Council and impact of the peacebuilding architecture thus far made the following suggestions to the United Nations in preventing conflicts and providing human security. Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for advancing the partnership between the two institutions, based on the My delegation supports the recommendations principles of complementarity, comparative advantage contained in the report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory and collaboration: Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding First, the PBC and the AU should cooperate to Architecture aimed at the full realization of the develop a common assessment of the nature and scope peacebuilding architecture’s functions, resources and of the peacebuilding challenges facing the countries modes of engagement, as well as its links with the concerned. They should also agree on a division of United Nations system. tasks, with each institution responsible for providing First, peacebuilding needs to be associated support in the peacebuilding sphere. primarily with the post-conflict phase, but it must also Secondly, the PBC and the AU should develop a be integrated from the very start in all United Nations more frequent and structured dialogue. In that regard, efforts involving conflict-prevention and -resolution the first engagement between the PBC and the African mechanisms.

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Secondly, the original design and interventions Religions. We strongly believe that religion, morality, should be more comprehensive and long-term so as to ethics and tolerance foster peace and stability, and we suit contemporary and future environments, as well as have therefore initiated a high-level forum on religions be able to adapt to the changing nature of conflicts. for peace, to be held in May in New York, under the Therefore, the Security Council must work closely with patronage of the President of the General Assembly. the Peacebuilding Commission to ensure the proper financing and use of the resources of the Peacebuilding Last year President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan Fund and field support offices. proposed the elaboration of a global development strategy to eliminate conflicts for all time, and the Thirdly, it is critical that the United Nations system allocation of 1 per cent of national military expenditures achieve greater internal coherence among its agencies to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and country teams on the ground, as well as with host Fund. countries and regional structures and organizations. National ownership, the mobilization of civil society In addition, Kazakhstan provides humanitarian and close cooperation with Special Representatives, and development assistance to the most vulnerable special missions and peacekeeping operations are also countries. I hope that the ongoing joint initiatives crucial to a successful peacebuilding architecture. between my Government and the United Nations Development Programme in Africa and the Economic The peacebuilding architecture should fully and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in the incorporate the goals and principles of the Human Pacific region on behalf of the small island developing Rights Council and the responsibility to protect, inter States and our work with the Caribbean Community alia, by adopting tailor-made strategies. No two conflict demonstrate our continuing commitment to peace, situations are the same, as each one is tied to multiple security, stability and prosperity. different domestic and international actors with varied agendas. Hence, the peacebuilding architecture requires We are determined to share in the efforts of the multisectoral and interdisciplinary strategies aimed global community to build a more environmentally at national and local ownership, capacity-building, friendly world, with a particular focus on water, inclusive institution-building, mutual accountability energy and nuclear security, which are the pillars of and risk management, as well as at building resilience. my country’s campaign for election to a non-permanent That involves the intersection of security and seat in the Security Council for the term 2017-2018. We development, with distinct pillars, including reforms in are strongly committed to contributing to the extent public safety, the rule of law, good governance, justice, possible to the Council’s peacebuilding mandate. human rights, reconciliation and ending impunity. In addition, other key priorities include socioeconomic The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the reconstruction and psychosocial rehabilitation. floor to the observer of the European Union. In order to ensure peace and security, my country, Mr. Hallergard: I have the honour to speak on Kazakhstan, is undertaking multidimensional behalf of the European Union and its member States. measures at the national, regional and international The candidate countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav levels in the fields of preventive diplomacy, economic Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia; the and social development and inter-ethnic and country of the Stabilization and Association Process interreligious dialogue. We have adopted our National and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina; as Strategy 2050, which provides the conditions needed well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, for the ongoing equitable and inclusive political and align themselves with this statement. economic development of the country in order to lay I would like to thank the Venezuelan presidency of the groundwork for social stability. the Security Council for organizing this timely open We are strengthening inter-ethnic and interreligious debate on the review of the peacebuilding architecture unity by fostering dialogue and cooperation among the and for providing the Council and the United Nations 130 nationalities residing in the country through the as a whole with this opportunity to reflect on ways to Assembly of People of Kazakhstan and the triennial improve and strengthen the performance and impact Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional of the peacebuilding architecture. Allow me also to

28/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 thank Ambassador Kamau, Ambassador Skoog and and experiences from that programme could offer an Ambassador Rosenthal for their valuable briefings. opportunity for useful reflection on a more integrated and flexible United Nations approach to peacebuilding. The European Union reiterates the great importance it attaches to an ambitious outcome of the review and Peacebuilding is an inherently political process that will continue to be actively engaged in the process. should be carried out on the basis of a long-term vision We fully subscribe to the conclusions of the report and a holistic approach. It should address the structural (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts on causes of conflict as well as the contemporary risks the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture that a of recurrence, provide for inclusive and participatory change in mindset is needed. Peacebuilding is no longer political processes, build strong and effective to be seen as a post-conflict activity, as the challenge institutions capable of addressing the root causes of of sustaining peace covers the complete cycle of our conflict and be responsive to people’s needs. It should engagement. Given the recurrent nature of violent promote inclusive national ownership on the part of the conflict, sustaining peace equals conflict prevention in Government, the opposition and civil society, using a many cases. bottom-up approach. Once again, we would like to underscore the Special attention should be paid to vulnerable utmost importance of linking the peacebuilding review or excluded groups, including ethnic or religious to the Secretary-General’s review of peace operations, minorities, political opposition groups, youth and other the review of resolution 1325 (2000), on women and segments of society that are at particular risk. The peace and security, and the implementation of the role of women in peace consolidation should be given 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General particular attention, in terms of both participation Assembly resolution 70/1), including the Addis and representation, taking into account the principles Ababa Action Agenda on financing for sustainable outlined in the 2030 Agenda and resolution 1325 (2000). development. Linking the recommendations of those That is important, both in its own right and because crucial reviews and processes should help to ensure we know that by doing so we increase the chances of maximum coherence in United Nations actions. In that sustaining peace. The human rights dimension should, regard, we welcome the high-level thematic debate to be in general, be integrated into peacebuilding, both as held by the President of the General Assembly in May, an overall objective and as an important early-warning as well as the invitation on the part of the Economic tool. and Social Council to pursue its cooperation with the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), which should take In addition, the analytical capacities of the into account the follow-up and review processes for Peacebuilding Commission should be strengthened in the 2030 Agenda, including the role of the High-level order to better monitor ongoing activities and assess Political Forum on Sustainable Development. the impact of the international efforts on the ground. The cooperation of the PBC with the authorities of Peacebuilding was conceived in order to address the the host State is important with the aim of promoting gap between security and development in fragile post- national ownership of the peacebuilding efforts and the conflict countries. A basic premise is that peacebuilding transfer of responsibilities from United Nations actors should be carried out at the country level and always to national authorities. adjusted to the specific country context. To be truly effective in its response in fragile States, the United The PBC’s greatest comparative advantage is its Nations system needs to work in a more integrated, convening power: the ability to call to task a large flexible and coordinated fashion, at both the country number of Member States, regional and subregional and the Headquarters levels, and give more weight to organizations and help reconcile their approaches. prevention and early-warning tools. There are already But its ability to deliver this political added value is good examples of strengthened cooperation between hampered by a number of factors. Some country- United Nations entities in the field of peacebuilding specific configurations of the PBC have taken a more and conflict prevention, in particular through the flexible and politically attuned approach, and lessons joint United Nations Development Programme/ should be learned from these experiences. Different, Department of Political Affairs programme on building especially lighter, modes of engagement for the PBC national capacities for conflict prevention. Lessons should be envisaged.

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With regard to securing more predictable financing Close strategic and operational partnerships for peacebuilding, the EU believes it is important to between the United Nations and international, regional address the silo approach of the donor community. The and subregional organizations and international Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has achieved significant financial institutions are also required in order to address results, but the PBF is a small-scale strategic fund that the challenge of sustaining peace. The EU believes that has to be followed and complemented by longer-term this should be part of an ongoing dialogue between the commitments from other financing sources, which may United and those organizations and go beyond holding be bilateral or multilateral, including multilateral and annual dialogues or high-level working meetings. regional development banks. For its part, the EU has We look forward to the review producing bold, already engaged in joint funding for peacebuilding concrete and focused outcomes to improve the projects via our Instrument contributing to Stability architecture so as to ensure effective, well-coordinated and Peace, and further opportunities for joint funding and complementary peacebuilding efforts throughout should be explored. the United Nations system. The EU is keen to work in increasing partnership The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the with the United Nations, including on the ground. The floor to the representative of Colombia. EU and the United Nations are as development actors Ms. Mejía Vélez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): I collaborating closely in the field and are also engaged wish to thank you, Mr. President, for having convened in a dialogue on conflict prevention that should be this open debate on a subject that is vital to current built on to further identify comparative advantages discussions in our Organization. I should like also to and opportunities for partnership. This includes raising thank Ambassadors Rosenthal, Kamau and Skoog for the importance of prevention and early warning on their very valuable contributions to today’s debate. the political agenda, including through international networks such as the International Dialogue on The year 2015 was key to refocusing the actions of Peacebuilding and State-building. the United Nations in the areas of peacebuilding and peacekeeping, through the review of the peacebuilding In addition, the EU and the United Nations have architecture, the work of the High-level Independent built a strong and continuously evolving partnership Panel on Peace Operations and the report of the in crisis management. EU Common Security and Secretary-General on women and peace and security Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, such as the European (S/2015/716), all of which constitute key tools in Union military mission to contribute to the training refocusing the strategies of the United Nations for of the Malian Armed Forces, the European Union action on and support for the process of reform that we Capacity Building Mission in Mali and the European have undertaken. Union CSDP Military Advisory Mission in the Central I should like to highlight three actions in African Republic, focusing on security-sector reform that context. and capacity-building, contribute to peacebuilding processes in a complementary way to United Nations First, there is a need to expand the scope of the peace operations. concept of peacebuilding to include sustainable peace, as Ambassador Rosenthal said, on the understanding More generally, in the context of its comprehensive that each case is different, because not all processes are approach to external conflict and crises, which aims equal, and the United Nations must tailor its actions to to enhance the coherence, effectiveness and impact of the particular requirements of each situation. the EU’s policy and action, the European Union seeks to develop close coordination with the relevant United The strategy of reacting to crises in an international Nations entities on the ground. This is in particular situation that is increasingly complex is neither sufficient the case already for peacebuilding or State-building nor sustainable for the United Nations; peacebuilding projects such as support for accountability mechanisms, must be a focus before, during and following conflicts. the criminal justice chain and community policing. A Secondly, preventive action accompanied by shared conflict analysis is a good starting point for inclusive national ownership is the best alternative for such cooperation. countries that find themselves on the verge of conflicts

30/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 and that decide to seek the support of United Nations. will be one of the many success stories in the context This helps to prevent the human and economic toll of of achieving peace and that the lessons that we have a confrontation. In that respect, we would reiterate the learned will make a contribution to those that, like us, importance of institutionalizing women’s participation are on the path towards peacebuilding. in peace and reconciliation processes. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Thirdly, we need to promote coherence in terms floor to the representative of Brazil. of peacebuilding strategies and resources throughout Mr. De Aguiar Patriota (Brazil) (spoke in Spanish): the United Nations system and its principal organs, I should like to congratulate the Mission of Venezuela including the Security Council, the General Assembly for having brought to the attention of the Security and the Economic and Social Council. Ambassador Council an issue that is very important to Brazil. Rosenthal has called for action to break down silos so as to strengthen support for and the advisory role (spoke in English) played by the Peacebuilding Commission, with the Let me thank the current Chair of the Peacebuilding assistance of the Peacebuilding Support Office and the Commission (PBC), Ambassador Kamau of Kenya, Peacebuilding Fund. as well as Ambassador Olof Skoog of Sweden and Ensuring that there is an impact on the ground, Ambassador Gert Rosenthal of Guatemala for setting as has been described very clearly by some speakers the right tone for this debate today. here, and responding to expectations and mandates will This open debate is timely, as it takes place at the be possible only if we have sufficient, predictable and intergovernmental stage of the review of the United sustainable resources for peacebuilding on the very long Nations peacebuilding architecture. We have before road travelled by countries emerging from conflict. We us a unique opportunity to provide the appropriate must adjust our priorities if we truly wish to achieve normative framework and resources for the United sustainable peace and deepen our associations with Nations to fulfil its core objective of sustaining peace. various actors, including the international financial Because of its universal membership, the General institutions and regional and subregional organizations, Assembly should play a leading role in this debate. which must play a more relevant role in peacebuilding. That is what we are doing today in the context of our As rightly underscored in the concept note own regional organization, the Community of Latin (S/2016/104, annex) circulated for this meeting, the American and Caribbean States, in the peace process notion of peacebuilding has evolved since the adoption in Colombia, for which the Security Council fittingly of General Assembly resolution 60/180 and Security expressed its support. Council resolutions 1645 (2005) and 1646 (2005). In that regard, I would like to acknowledge the valuable Colombia is convinced that in order to enhance work undertaken by the Chair of the Advisory Group of the impact of the Organization’s peacebuilding Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, efforts, peacebuilding must go hand in hand with the Ambassador Gert Rosenthal, which sheds light on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable fundamental debate regarding how to strengthen the Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1). The United Nations approach to sustaining peace. universal, indivisible and comprehensive nature of the Agenda is a reflection of the fact that there can be no The Advisory Group’s report (see S/2015/490) underscores that the peacebuilding architecture sustainable development without peace and no peace cannot be understood as exclusively limited to the without sustainable development. Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding Fund We nations that know full well the difficulties and the Peacebuilding Support Office. With regard to involved in achieving peace are well aware that the the concept of sustaining peace, the report stresses the road is not easy, but we are convinced that we will importance of a broader and more integrated approach be able to reach our goal. My country, Colombia, has to peacebuilding, which would require the Security undertaken a number of innovative, sometimes risky, Council, the General Assembly and the Economic and political processes and actions, in a sort of collective Social Council to work in partnership, each within endeavour aimed at achieving a sustainable peace after the particular purview and scope conferred on it by some 50 years of conflict. It is Colombia’s hope that it the Charter of the United Nations. With respect to the

16-04784 31/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 four areas suggested for debate in the concept note, we and Social Council and the General Assembly, and would like to highlight the following issues. is well positioned to serve as an integrative forum for discussing the development-related aspects of Brazil is convinced that the lack of adequate and sustaining peace. It should also be stressed that predictable financing is a fundamental challenge sustaining peace is a task that encompasses the three to long-term peacebuilding efforts. It is therefore pillars of the United Nations, which are interdependent critical that we agree on the need to strengthen the and mutually reinforcing. We commend the fact that the Peacebuilding Fund by directing resources to it from current Chair of the PBC and former Chair of the Open assessed contributions. It is also important to enable Working Group on the SDGs, Ambassador Macharia peacekeeping missions to utilize resources from their Kamau, is already bringing his considerable expertise budgets to finance programmatic activities. amassed in the area of sustainable development to the We also concur that sustaining peace requires long- work of the Peacebuilding Commission. term engagement on the part of the United Nations On the role of regional and subregional organizations system. A comprehensive approach to sustaining in peacebuilding, Brazil supports enhancing cooperation peace should address the need for eradicating poverty, in that area and building on the example of regional promoting socioeconomic development and gender arrangements made for peacekeeping under Chapter equality, building full-fledged institutions, promoting VIII of the Charter. Regional and subregional partners national reconciliation, improving governance and are usually well placed to have a better understanding developing more inclusive societies. Those strategies of the situation on the ground and could positively for peacebuilding should be implemented in close influence it. However, a case-by-case analysis of the coordination with national authorities, while taking convenience of such arrangements should always into account the priorities established and the need for be conducted. national ownership at all stages. Finally, I would like to stress the importance of the Another aspect to be emphasized is the importance other two review processes launched by the Secretary- of development in peacebuilding. The United Nations General, namely, that on United Nations peacekeeping experience in conflict situations has demonstrated that and that on women and peace and security, and the sustainable peace requires a comprehensive approach need to ensure coherence among their outcomes. It is to security, which involves considering the root causes noteworthy that the three reports on those processes of conflict and the social and economic situation on propose to advance the primacy of politics and conflict the ground. prevention. Brazil fully supports those goals, which we Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for believe should constitute the basis for revamping the Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution peace and security pillar of the Organization. 70/1), we now have a multilateral framework for The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the promoting sustainable development. We should bear in floor to the representative of Australia. mind that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are of a universal nature. In that sense, Goal 16, which Ms. Bird (Australia): As we meet today in the speaks of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies Security Council, we all know — all too well — how for sustainable development and of providing access fleeting peace can be. As the Secretary-General has to justice for all and building effective, accountable reminded us time and again, countries that experience and inclusive institutions at all levels, is aimed at all armed conflict often remain at risk of relapsing into Member States. An interpretation according to which violence for years after the conflict has ended. Some Goal 16 is directed only at conflict and post-conflict 90 per cent of conflicts between 2000 and 2009 situations would disregard the universality of the SDGs occurred in countries that had previously experienced and could indirectly lead to the mistaken assumption civil war. that violence and instability exist mainly in poor or less We meet with the benefit of the insights provided developed regions. by three seminal reports concluded in 2015 — that of Brazil is of the view that the Peacebuilding the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the Commission has a unique role to play in its advisory Peacebuilding Architecture (see S/2015/490), the review capacity to the Security Council, the Economic of United Nations peace operations (see S/2015/446),

32/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 and the Global Study on the implementation of United that adequate, predictable and sustained financing Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) is essential to support United Nations system-wide (S/2015/716). Like others, I welcome the participation peacebuilding efforts. of Ambassador Rosenthal, Chair of the Advisory Group I would like to conclude by stating that today’s of Experts, in today’s debate. Together, those reports debate is not about the scale or nature of the crises lay out a clear framework for how the United Nations facing the world, or whether the human cost of those can better work to achieve the goal of the Charter of the crises is too high. Those aspects are a given. The United Nations of saving succeeding generations from question is how we seize the opportunity before us to the scourge of war. change how we conceive of and do peacebuilding and Central to that vision is the need to achieve how we ensure that our most vulnerable people — those sustainable peace, which is not a nebulous concept. in conflict-affected countries — are not left behind in Rather, it clarifies the fact that in order to achieve our implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable just, meaningful and lasting peace we must prioritize Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1). peacebuilding across the complete cycle of United Sustaining peace represents a crucial change in Nations engagement, from conflict prevention and mindset with regard to how the United Nations does resolution through to reconciliation and recovery. peacebuilding. It is not a new concept. Rather, it goes Sustainable peace requires us to take a longer-term to the very heart of the goals of the Charter. Australia perspective in our efforts to maintain international is committed to working closely with all Member States peace and security. It requires intergovernmental and to find consensus in that effort. operational coherence among the principal United The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Nations organs and United Nations agencies and floor to the representative of Italy. between Headquarters and the field. That needs to be supported by integrated analysis, planning, policy Mr. Cardi (Italy): I wish to thank the President and development and implementation. his delegation for convening this open debate, which gives us an opportunity to discuss the review of the Sustaining peace requires drawing together the peacebuilding architecture and United Nations efforts United Nations political, peace and security, human to sustain peace. rights, development and humanitarian arms, and demands a whole-of-the-United Nations approach. Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by Fundamentally, it recognizes that to be sustainable, the observer of the European Union and wishes to add peace must be nationally owned and inclusive of all, the following remarks in its national capacity. particularly women, youth and civil society. And it The year 2016 is one of opportunities to strengthen acknowledges that the scale of the challenge requires the capacity of the United Nations to deliver as one. close strategic and operational partnerships between the It is our responsibility to improve the peacebuilding United Nations and other key stakeholders, including efforts of the whole United Nations system — first regional and subregional organizations, multilateral and foremost by ensuring coherent action on the part financial institutions and the private sector. of all the relevant stakeholders. In that perspective, As co-Chair of the intergovernmental phase of the it is of the utmost importance to take an integrated review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, approach to the three major reviews under way — the along with the Ambassador of Angola, Australia was future of peacekeeping, the role of women in peace and security, and the architecture of peacebuilding. In that given the task of translating the widely supported vision connection, I would like to thank Ambassador Rosenthal for United Nations peacebuilding set out in the Advisory for the very important report (see S/2015/490) produced Group of Experts report into parallel draft resolutions by the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the of the Security Council and General Assembly. Our Peacekeeping Architecture. consultations are ongoing. We have been pleased by the constructive spirit in which they are being held and the As a member of the Organizational Committee of strong demand that we are hearing from Member States the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Italy is confident for a more comprehensive approach to United Nations that, under the leadership of the new Chair, Ambassador peacebuilding. That includes broad acknowledgement Macharia Kamau of Kenya, the former Chair from

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Sweden and the Chairs of the country-specific more predictable funds for peacebuilding as a whole. configurations, this will be another year of significant But we also need to deploy alternative resources achievements. In addition, the ambitious outcome of for peacebuilding activities, which can include the review, which we expect to see reflected in the draft non-monetary contributions as well as contributions resolution on the subject to be prepared by the end of from the private sector. We should foster cooperation March, will pave the way for a strengthened PBC. within the United Nations system, with the World Bank There is growing awareness of the importance and with other regional and international financial of the PBC’s bridging role through its preventive and institutions in order to assist affected countries in multidimensional approach to conflict in the face of the mobilization and use of domestic resources for rapidly changing security challenges. Massive migration economic and social development. That is of course flows, climate change and human rights violations are essential for preventing both the risk of conflict and notable examples of crisis drivers, and their growing relapsing into conflict. impact on international peace and security deserves I will conclude by highlighting an issue that Italy our attention. In that framework, Italy believes that the believes is at the core of building peaceful and inclusive ongoing review of the peacebuilding architecture, under the leadership of Australia and Angola, should reshape societies, namely, the protection and safeguarding of the PBC to make it a more complete tool, thereby cultural heritage. The preservation of cultural heritage, enhancing the overall capacity of the United Nations in in particular from terrorist acts and trafficking, and the the field of preventive diplomacy. Peacebuilding must promotion of and respect for cultural diversity are key happen before a conflict erupts. The PBC can play an elements in reconciliation and peacebuilding processes. important role in bringing together all the relevant No society can flourish without culture; no mutual stakeholders, both inside and outside the United relationship can be established without respecting Nations. We therefore support a closer relationship people’s history and soul. For those reasons, building on between the Security Council and the PBC, which we numerous previous activities, on 16 February Italy and consider a valuable tool available to the Council to UNESCO signed a landmark agreement to establish a enhance its capacity at preventive diplomacy. As a first task force to protect ancient cultural artefacts in crisis practical measure, we believe that closer cooperation areas. Such Blue Helmets of culture, as we have called between the Security Council and the PBC could be them, are a tangible sign of Italy’s commitment to the ensured by inviting the Chairs of the country-specific Unite for Heritage campaign. configurations to participate in Council meetings, as appropriate. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Belgium. However, the United Nations should not be seen as the sole peacebuilding actor, but rather as the main Mr. Bogaert (Belgium) (spoke in French): I thank global enabler of partnerships to sustain peace. It can Venezuela for organizing this open debate. and must ensure greater cooperation with regional and Belgium aligns itself with the statement made by the subregional organizations, multilateral institutions and observer of the European Union. We wish to add some non-governmental organizations, among which there remarks based on, inter alia, our participation in the are many active in the field of preventive diplomacy. The Burundi and Central African Republic configurations United Nations development system has a fundamental role to play in that regard, as its work on the field is of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). based on a fruitful collaboration with all actors. Since the establishment of the peacebuilding While virtually all Member States acknowledge the architecture, the peacebuilding paradigm has changed importance of long-term solutions to conflict, resources substantially. At the policy level, the challenges and the necessary political attention to peacebuilding linked to involvement in conflict-affected countries are sorely lacking. There is widespread agreement on have been the subject of special attention, notably the need to secure more predictable funding. In that within the framework of international networks such connection, as recently announced, Italy has decided as the New Deal for Engagement in Fragilе States to resume its contributions to the Peacebuilding and the International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Fund throughout 2016, and is committed to ensuring State-building.

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The review of the peacebuilding architecture comes goals of the actions taken to achieve lasting peace, as several months after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda well as an inclusive dialogue with stakeholders on the for Sustainable Development (General Assembly national plan. The role of civil society and women in resolution 70/1), which entails a series of interrelated that inclusive dialogue will be crucial. Goals, including those on ensuring sustainable That leads me to mention the notion of coherence peace, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, and coordination in the activities of those involved providing access to justice for all and strengthening in peacebuilding. Given the scale and nature of the accountable and effective institutions. However, fragile conflicts that we encounter, a more coherent and countries and those affected by conflict are precisely integrated approach and better coordination is needed, those that have made the least progress towards the achievement of the previous Millennium Development both at Headquarters and in the field. Goals. Special attention to those countries and to the Based on those considerations, Belgium calls for a challenges that they face in terms of peacebuilding far-reaching review of the United Nations peacebuilding will be all the more necessary in order to ensure their architecture. As an advisory body of the Council, the inclusive development through sustainable peace. Peacebuilding Commission can certainly add value in Belgium has therefore decided to allocate 50 per cent of terms of early warning, conflict prevention, conflict its official development assistance to fragile and least resolution and transition in harmony, acting in close developed countries. coordination with stakeholders at Headquarters and That brings me to several thoughts on the work of in the field. In any event, we must strengthen the the Security Council and its follow-up to the situations interaction between the Security Council and the brought to its attention. These thoughts have also Peacebuilding Commission. been inspired by our contribution to the review of The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the peacekeeping operations. It will also be important floor to the representative of Romania. to take into account the review process regarding resolution 1325 (2000) and the results of the upcoming Mr. Jinga (Romania): I would like to thank World Humanitarian Summit. Venezuela for initiating this open debate on the review of the peacebuilding architecture. This is a Ensuring lasting peace requires better and increased timely opportunity to discuss how to build peace in a investment in conflict prevention in order to prevent challenging global context. With conflicts dramatically countries from sliding into, or back into, conflict. While increasing in number and changing in nature, there is progress has certainly been made, the situations that an urgency to develop a more fit-for-purpose United have the attention of the Security Council — including Nations response. several protracted crises, the incredibly severe humanitarian consequences of which have had a Romania associates itself with the statement devastating impact on civilians — demonstrate that delivered by the observer of the European Union. such efforts are not enough. Belgium therefore calls for I would like now to make a few remarks from my greater attention to be paid to the root causes, as well national perspective. as to the factors and early signs of conflict, based on Former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld factual analysis. once said that the United Nations was created not to Transition and exit strategies for peacekeeping lead humankind to heaven, but to save humanity from operations should also be better organized around hell. Indeed, the United Nations has saved millions political processes, which should include disarmament, of lives from wars, poverty, diseases and starvation. demobilization and reintegration, security-sector Today, its role is once again being dramatically tested reform, transitional justice, the strengthening of by the multiplication of threats posed to international institutions and capacity-building. Those processes peace and security. In less than 10 years, the number exceed the lifetime of the missions and illustrate the of major civil wars has almost tripled. More than need to better reflect the dimensions of peacebuilding 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by violent and development in an integrated approach to conflicts. The nature of conflicts has changed as sustainable peace. They also imply a political well. We are witnessing the volatility of borders, the commitment on the part of the host country to the disintegration of States, trafficking in natural resources

16-04784 35/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 that finance terrorist groups and appalling violations since we became an official development assistance of human rights and international humanitarian law. In donor country in 2007, we have devoted resources, many cases, the lack of solid institutions and fair and including at the United Nations level, to capacity- transparent governance, and the presence of corruption building for public institutions, election assistance, and the mismanagement of public funds, which cost public order, the campaign against corruption, youth the global economy $2.6 trillion, have made States and education. As a Security Council member in vulnerable to terrorism and violent extremist groups. 2005, Romania promoted resolution 1631 (2005), on Solving crises is costly, both financially and in terms cooperation between the United Nations and regional of human resources, and quite often the relapse of organizations in the maintenance of international peace countries into conflict is almost predictable. and security. We think that much added value will come from further developing partnerships with regional More than ever, peacebuilding is intrinsically organizations as an important tool for building trust in linked to conflict-prevention. Preventing conflict is conflict prevention and in post-conflict reconstruction. considerably less expensive than responding to it after In that respect, we also think that increased Security the fact. It is also less divisive in the international Council engagement with regional organizations, community, including in the Security Council, than consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United finding solutions after the outbreak of crisis. The United Nations, will bring a more focused and integrated Nations has at its disposal an impressive array of tools perspective to peacebuilding. to build peace. We see them in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the launch 70/1), in particular in Sustainable Development Goal of his report for the coming World Humanitarian 16, on peace, justice and strong institutions. Summit in Istanbul, As last week we paid our respect to the late former “We need to restore trust in our global order and Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, let me quote show those millions left behind in conflicts, in from his 1996 An Agenda for Democratization, which chronic need and in constant fear, the solidarity emphasizes the links between peace, development they deserve and expect from us.” and democracy: I believe we can do that only through peace and “Without democratic institutions to channel popular stability. It requires good governance, opportunities pressures for development and reform, popular for young people and fighting violent extremism. unrest and instability will result. The reality is that Those are the main challenges to a sustainable no State can long ... have the potential to pursue peacebuilding architecture. a successful and sustainable development strategy, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the if its citizens are prohibited from participating floor to the representative of Pakistan. actively and substantially in its political processes and economic, social and cultural development.” Ms. Lodhi (Pakistan): We thank Venezuela for (para. 25) organizing today’s open debate on post-conflict peacebuilding. In a world beset with conflicts, turmoil The reviews of peacebuilding and peace operations, the and suffering, this is an opportune moment to discuss report on mediation, the Secretary-General’s Plan of that important subject. Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and his Human Rights Up Front initiative are part of that same vision. Pakistan was among the pioneers promoting the idea of a dedicated United Nations institutional mechanism Building peace requires an integrated and cross- for peacebuilding. In 2004, Pakistan first proposed an cutting approach, because its multidimensional nature ad hoc arrangement to draw various United Nations poses challenges of coherence. We believe, therefore, bodies together to address complex crises. Building on that increased involvement on the part of the Security that, Pakistan actively participated in discussions on Council in preventive actions could help generate the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) during the 2005 strategic planning for peacebuilding. World Summit and the subsequent negotiations on and Romania has invested in preventive diplomacy, adoption of General Assembly resolution 60/180, which conflict prevention, peacebuilding and mediation. Ever established the Commission.

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Peacebuilding works best, we feel, as an integral best way to deal with growing humanitarian needs is part of a continuum — from conflict prevention to address their root causes. Secondly, there should to peacekeeping to post-conflict reconstruction. be a holistic approach to sustaining peace, which Peacekeepers, as early peacebuilders, help to lay the must involve conflict prevention, peacekeeping and foundation for durable peace. Unfortunately, the focus post-conflict recovery and reconstruction. Thirdly, of the international community has remained on the domestic resource mobilization needs to be given due conflict phase alone — so long as media attention is importance while working on enhancing international focused there as well — to the detriment of the other financial support for peacebuilding and ensuring two phases. The support of the international community its predictability. Fourthly, greater collaboration often wanes with the departure of television crews in should be encouraged between the United Nations the aftermath of conflict, which leaves the country and the World Bank Group and other regional and concerned with weak State institutions, a power international partners in order to assist countries in the vacuum, a weak economy and a lack of financial mobilization and effective use of domestic resources. resources — the confluence of which is a recipe for a Fifthly, inclusive national ownership is essential. In descent into chaos. the final analysis, only national actors can drive peace processes. Sixthly, the PBC should present the Security Today, the bulk of peacekeeping resources are Council with concise, realistic and context-specific deployed in multidimensional missions. Resolution recommendations and benchmarks, and the Council 2086 (2013), adopted during Pakistan’s presidency of should regularly request and draw upon the advice of the the Security Council in January 2013, was a landmark Commission, especially while discussing mandates and in that regard. It reinforced the strategic relationship reviewing peacekeeping operations. Finally, for issues between peacebuilding and peacekeeping. such as the timing of mission transitions, decisions The Peacebuilding Commission has not been able to should be based on discussions between among the live up to its promise. While it is an essential component Security Council, the Secretariat, the relevant troop- for supporting peacebuilding activities, including post- contributing countries and national authorities in conflict stabilization and the strengthening of the conflict-afflicted countries. capacity of Governments, national and local institutions Countries emerging from conflict face imposing and transitional or other authorities, critical evaluation challenges as they seek to overcome the legacy of war and stocktaking is necessary. and find a durable path to peace and security. As we move The report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory towards the final stage of the peacebuilding architecture Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding review process, what is critical is the acknowledgement Architecture is comprehensive and very thoughtful. that the objective of those review efforts should be to We commend Ambassador Gert Rosenthal and the revitalize the peacebuilding mechanism to better assist members of the Advisory Group for their work. States and societies to recover from conflict and avoid The report rightly places emphasis on prioritizing a calamitous return to violence. peacebuilding, enhancing PBC’s interaction with the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the principal organs of the United Nations and the need for floor to the representative of Thailand. political, security and development actors to support each other in striving for sustainable peace. Mr. Bamrungphong (Thailand): Today’s open debate is both timely and practically relevant, as the The failure to prioritize leads to tragic cycles of Security Council and the General Assembly are in the relapse into turmoil and conflict. Addressing the root process of reviewing the peacebuilding architecture, causes of conflict is extremely important to avoid its with the objective of adopting parallel and identical recurrence, but that obviously requires long-term draft resolutions that will set out the framework of commitment and adequate and predictable financing. United Nations peacebuilding for the next five years. Strengthened peacebuilding is in the interest of us I commend the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela all. To achieve that, we need to give attention to the for choosing for this open debate a topic that can following. contribute in a concrete and meaningful manner to First, we must prioritize prevention. It may be the ongoing intergovernmental negotiation process axiomatic to say this, but it remains true that the on peacebuilding.

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The Advisory Group of Experts on the East Timor, and more recently in Darfur, has shown Review of Peacebuilding Architecture, chaired by that peacekeepers can undertake peacebuilding efforts Ambassador Gert Rosenthal of Guatemala, produced a that have an impact. Through the implementation comprehensive and aspirational report (see S/2015/490) of various development and quick-impact projects, that contains key recommendations on how the United peacekeepers can significantly contribute to alleviating Nations can improve its approach to peacebuilding. I socioeconomic grievances of the local population. once again commend the Advisory Group of Experts’ I wish to conclude my remarks by expressing efforts to provide us with a framework of ideas to tackle my appreciation to the Permanent Representatives the challenges that peacebuilding is facing. of Angola and Australia, in their capacities as the In response to some of the questions raised in your co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations on concept note (S/2016/104, annex), Sir, I wish to make the review of the peacebuilding architecture, for their comments on two specific points. able leadership. The Kingdom of Thailand remains fully committed to extending support and cooperation First, one of the key challenges identified in to the co-facilitators in this process. the report of the Advisory Group of Experts is that peacebuilding is left as an afterthought: under- The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the prioritized, under-resourced and undertaken only after floor to the representative of Guatemala. the guns fall silent. We share that assessment and are of Mr. Sandoval Cojulún (Guatemala) (spoke in the view that peacebuilding is not only a post-conflict Spanish): Guatemala is grateful for the holding of this activity, but should be undertaken throughout the open debate and for the briefings by the Chair of the conflict cycle. As such, it requires sustained political Peacebuilding Commission, Ambassador Machiera attention. The Peacebuilding Commission, as an Kamau, and of the former Chair of the Commission, intergovernmental advisory body, can play a crucial Ambassador Olof Skoog. We are also grateful for the role in sustaining international attention to countries at leadership of Ambassador Gert Rosenthal as Chair of risk of lapsing or relapsing into conflict. the Advisory Group of Expers on the Review of the To have an impact, political commitment must Peacekeeping Architecture. be matched by adequate and predictable funding for My delegation shares the ideas contained in the peacebuilding efforts. However, the Peacebuilding concept note (S/2016/104, annex ) in the sense that the Fund continues to face financial shortfalls. We must United Nations can play a key role in preventing armed find a way to better finance peacebuilding activities. conflicts from beginning, resuming or continuing. We The Security Council and the General Assembly should wish to highlight that we see peacebuilding mainly explore resource mobilization through partnership with as an effort to prevent conflict. Even in post-conflict the private sector, along with strengthened partnership situations we seek to prevent further recurrence of with the international financial institutions and regional conflict, and peacebuilding can serve to prevent development banks. The proposal of the Advisory Group conflicts from arising at all. of Experts to support the Peacebuilding Fund through an assessed contribution also merits careful consideration. We also share the view that the recent failures of the Organization have served to highlight the need Secondly, many of the conflicts that we witness to review in a broad and comprehensive manner the around the world are rooted in underlying socioeconomic United Nations peacebuilding architecture. As we problems, be it poverty, social injustice or inequalities. have repeatedly stated, peacekeeping missions should Thailand firmly believes that peace cannot be sustained be understood as a task in which only interested in the absence of sustainable and inclusive development; national stakeholders should feel ownership. The it is about giving due regard to the needs and livelihoods United Nations and international actors may support of the people and their communities. and facilitate the process, but they cannot direct it. We cannot wait until the guns fall silent to start On that basis, Guatemala proudly supports various development work. For conflict-affected countries, the missions with military personnel in order to contribute United Nations can play a crucial role in laying the to international peace and security. We support what necessary groundwork for a transition from conflict to was highlighted in the report (see S/2105/490) of the normalcy. Our peacekeeping experience in the former Advisory Group of Experts, in the sense that the United

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Nations should have better operational strategies to What is the challenge before the Security Council? have a closer relationship with international financial In the light of the multiplication of conflicts and failing institutions and regional and subregional organizations. States, the challenge is to reshape the Peacebuilding Commission to adequately address not only post- We see the holding of this open debate as being conflict situations, but also the prevention of conflicts very timely. It creates a space to discuss and hear the with the support of the Peacebuilding Support Office different positions on peacebuilding. This exercise and an adequately financed Peacebuilding Fund. is particularly relevant in the light of the current negotiations of the draft resolution on the review of the Five years ago, we failed to allow the Peacebuilding United Nations peacebuilding architecture. Commission to evolve after we had discovered that gaps existed between our collective aspirations and the We stress the importance of delegations using realities in practice. Instead of adopting a substantive the recommendations and observations made by the draft resolution, we just welcomed the report of the Advisory Group of Experts as a solid and supportive experts reviewing the Peacebuilding Commission, and basis for discussion. We are aware that during we did not endorse a single one of the recommendations negotiations, the Organization’s States Members will contained in the report. Given the current review face major challenges in reaching consensus on major prepared by the Group of Experts headed by Ambassador issues, such as the inclusion of human rights, funding Gert Rosenthal, we now have the opportunity to finally for peacebuilding and defining various concepts, such enact the necessary changes. as sustainable peace. First, the mandate of the Peacebuilding Given that the concept of peacebuilding has Commission needs to be enhanced to also encompass been on the Organization’s agenda since 1992 and crisis prevention, not only the aftermath of a conflict. that international contexts are not static, Member Secondly, the Peacebuilding Commission must States have a valuable opportunity to engage in an work more closely with the Security Council. However, analytical discussion, based on lessons learned, on the that can be achieved only if the Security Council peacebuilding architecture of the Organization. It is actively involves the Peacebuilding Commission in its therefore imperative to remind the Council that greater work on crisis prevention and peacebuilding and if the efforts are needed to prevent conflicts. The numbers Peacebuilding Commission has something to offer to leave no room for interpretation. Investing in prevention the Security Council. As the report of the Advisory will prevent above all the loss of human lives. but it will Group stipulates, the Security Council also allow for a better use of the Organization’s limited financial resources and better performance. That point “should regularly request and draw upon provides clarity about the importance that Member the Peacebuilding Commission’s advice on States should give to the Peacebuilding Fund and to the peacebuilding dimensions of mandates”. strengthening coordination with both the Peacebuilding (S/2015/490, p.4) Commission and the Peacebuilding Support Office. Thirdly, we also must overcome the bureaucratic Guatemala stresses the need for the Council to approach to peacebuilding enshrined in the country ensure that any mandate for peacebuilding missions configurations of the Peacebuilding Commission. emphasizes that the importance of such missions Some challenges, such as Ebola, demand a regional being integrated within the United Nations system as a response, and therefore call for action beyond the whole, including the Human Rights Council, in order to limitations of one specific country configuration. That implement sustainable peace on the ground. does not mean that we need to create new structures. We need to use the existing ones more efficiently The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the through better cooperation with host countries, floor to the representative of Germany. enhanced coordination with other United Nations agencies on the ground and more partnerships with Mr. Schieb (Germany): I would like to thank regional and subregional organizations, as well as with Venezuela for having convened today’s open debate. international financial institutions. The Peacebuilding Germany aligns itself with the statement delivered Commission is a product of internal and institutional by the observer of the European Union. learning within the United Nations. It draws upon the

16-04784 39/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 complex and often interrelated challenges associated We are convinced that the maintenance of with conflict resolution, peacebuilding, reconciliation international peace and security cannot be discussed and development. We just need to improve it. in isolation from the issue of good governance. The international community should fully acknowledge Peacebuilding does not come for free. Predictable that there is a strong nexus between good governance financing is an important prerequisite that had been principles — which include impartiality, transparency, voiced even before the Rosenthal report. Germany accountability and combating corruption — on one hand, has been one of the main donors contributing to the and United Nations actions undertaken with a view to Peacebuilding Fund in the past, and it will continue to assisting States in preventing, resolving and recovering be a predictable voluntary contributor in the future. In from military conflicts, on the other. Promoting good 2016, we will substantially increase our contribution to governance, including through security sector reform, the Peacebuilding Fund. tackling political, social and economic exclusion, Let me reaffirm that Germany firmly supports promoting human rights and opportunities for all are the ongoing negotiations on a joint draft resolution incredibly important to guaranteeing stability, security by the General Assembly and the Security Council and peace. All such issues should have proper weight designed to improve the peacebuilding architecture. and place in the reflection process on the future of Germany also looks forward to continue working with peacebuilding activities. the Peacebuilding Commission to best respond to the The United Nations has a unique responsibility needs of countries in crisis and help solidify peace in for sustaining peace and security, but the scale and the aftermath of conflict. gravity of challenges today means that the United Nations cannot act alone. The role of regional and Last but not least, Germany would like to use this subregional organizations in peacebuilding cannot be opportunity to pay tribute to former Secretary-General underestimated. In that regard, we would like to stress Boutros Boutros-Ghali. It was his 1992 “Agenda for the importance of coherence and complementarity Peace” (S/24111) that prepared the ground for many of in order to ensure better effectiveness of actions the concepts and initiatives we are discussing to this between United Nations and regional actors. We fully very day. support the idea of partnerships in the peacebuilding The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the area between the United Nations and regional and floor to the representative of Poland. subregional organizations, similar to those that exist in peacekeeping. Peacebuilding needs just as much Mrs. Kassangana-Jakubowska (Poland): Poland attention. considers today’s debate to be an important initiative to reflect on the ongoing process of the review of the The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) is the most peacebuilding architecture. We fully agree with a important element of the United Nations peacebuilding view of Venezuelan presidency that lack of a proper architecture. We agree with the conclusion of the report attitude to peacebuilding contributes considerably to (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts on the resurgence of conflicts. the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, headed by Ambassador Rosenthal, that the PBC should improve My delegation aligns itself with the statement its coordination with key United Nations bodies. We delivered by the observer of the European Union. should remember that the deepening of the PBC’s I would like to offer some additional remarks in my relationship with the relevant United Nations bodies, national capacity. such as the General Assembly, the Security Council and The social and economic development of countries the Economic and Social Council, depends upon their in conflict or post-conflict situations is especially approach to peacebuilding and their eagerness to draw significant for the lasting success of peacebuilding on the PBC’s knowledge. As appropriate, therefore, efforts. That is why it is so important to successfully those bodies should seek out the PBC’s expertise and assistance with the goal of maximizing the impact of implement the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable the United Nations in post-conflict situations. Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1) and to effectively reflect on why the Millennium Development We recently witnessed a very good example of efforts Goals were not realized in full. by the Security Council to draw on the PBC’s specific

40/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 expertise during the open briefing (see S/PV.7624) Assembly resolution 70/1) should play a key role in on Guinea-Bissau earlier this month. The work of the focusing the United Nations system’s efforts. Guinea-Bissau country-specific configuration of the Mexico would like to acknowledge the work of PBC, under the intelligent chairmanship of Ambassador the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of De Aguiar Patriota of Brazil, is an excellent example the Peacebuilding Architecture, led by Ambassador of a much-needed comprehensive approach to Rosenthal, as well as the efforts of the Permanent peacebuilding, involving close cooperation between Representatives of Angola and Australia to follow up the PBC, the Secretariat, the African Union and the on and bring coherence to our discussions on the issue Economic Community of West African States. We in both the General Assembly and the Council. If we are hope that such a streamlined effort will enable them to safeguard that country’s achievements in stabilization to make progress towards our goal, it is essential that, and development. as recommended by the Advisory Group, we change the epicentre of our peacebuilding efforts from the current There can be no doubt that we need a high level reactive perspective to a preventive one. The emphasis of coherence and complementarity in all three of the on that aspect is consistent with the recommendations review processes under way in the area of international and definition of critical pathways that are being peace and security. The momentum during the discussed in the other review processes currently under intergovernmental phase must be kept up, and the way, and our shared goal should therefore be to translate role of the General Assembly in that process will be the recommendations into action. extremely important. That is why we would like to commend the initiative of the President of the Assembly To reverse 10 years of inertia and obstacles placed in organizing a high-level thematic debate, to be held in in the way of the peacebuilding architecture, we will May, designed to identify synergies between the three need coherent, systematic, collective efforts aimed at review processes. We believe that will help to improve ending the disjunctions in the main intergovernmental United Nations action on peace and security. bodies of the United Nations whose responsibility it is to change the paradigm in favour of sustainable The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the peace — the Security Council, the General Assembly floor to the representative of Mexico. and the Economic and Social Council. The United Mr. Alday González (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): Nations presence must be constant or else, as with any I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening other vacuum, it runs the risk of being occupied by today’s open debate, and the briefers for their interesting others. views. Given the challenges and complexity of today’s Ten years after the Organization’s establishment of conflicts, the role and added value of the Peacebuilding its peacebuilding architecture, we continue to face the Commission should be exploited, enhanced and challenge of finding the best way to achieve sustainable strengthened. The Security Council should make peace that can help to heal the scars caused by armed frequent use of the Commission’s advisory capacity conflict, rebuild the countries and regions concerned, in reviewing the mandates of peacekeeping and along with their institutions responsible for protecting peacebuilding missions, as well as in designing fundamental rights, and provide basic humanitarian transition strategies with the timeliness and long-term services, security and justice. vision essential to peacekeeping. The Commission should be a platform for bringing to the Council’s The lessons learned over the past decade have attention the views of all of the relevant actors at the shown us that, if peacebuilding is to succeed, it requires national, regional and international levels, including a comprehensive strategy for addressing conflicts that donors, agendas and the agencies of the United Nations can establish a consistent, solid and direct link between system. peace and security and human rights and development. Those elements, together with prevention, formed the Peacebuilding requires the political, technical and preliminary framework for peacekeeping in 2005, financial support of the international community. It and today they continue to be crucial to its long- also requires nonvengeful justice, and for that we need term viability and effectiveness. In that context, the the mechanisms that can provide it. The absence of that 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General kind of support for peacebuilding and peacekeeping,

16-04784 41/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 particularly when it comes to the root causes of a crisis, to thank Ambassadors Macharia Kamau, Olof Skoog can result in significant challenges when it comes to and Gert Rosenthal for their introductory briefings. preventing the outbreak or resurgence of a conflict. I would like to briefly share with the Council Mexico appreciates the Advisory Group’s some views based on the framework of the four areas recommendation that our peacebuilding instruments identified in the President’s concept note (S/2016/104, should always work together with regional and annex). subregional organizations in their prevention efforts, First, with regard tp the lack of attention to whenever their constitutive bodies allow it. We also peacebuilding, we think that, although the concept of believe that key stakeholders, such as civil society peacebuilding is not present in the Charter of the United and international financial institutions, should back Nations, it is utterly consistent with its letter and spirit. the Organization’s efforts and contribute positively From our perspective, the efforts that emanate from the to supporting national priority areas, encouraging current peacebuilding architecture could, however, be economic development and lessening the risks of immensely improved. We should begin by addressing investing in countries that are rebuilding. Requests the question of the lack of adequate resources. As and mandates to do more should be backed up with expressed by the Advisory Group of Experts on the appropriate resources and strategic planning aimed Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, providing at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the the Peacebuilding Fund annually with a symbolic 1 per work. We believe that it is vital to ensure that those cent of the value of the total United Nations budget intergovernmental processes result in a thorough for peace operations as core funding from assessed analysis of the financial arrangements for the entire contributions would help close the gap between peacebuilding architecture and in concrete action mandates and programme resources. aimed at strengthening those arrangements, including Secondly, regarding peacebuilding time frames, accountability mechanisms. we have two contradictory notions of time frame: that This period of review of various bodies and of the United Nations, punctuated by successive yearly commissions is an ideal opportunity for revisiting sessions, and that of human beings in post-conflict and revitalizing the Organization’s conceptual and situations. The first is guided by calendaring priorities operational approach to peacebuilding. We should take and performance, and the second is hard to assess in advantage of this five-year opportunity to review in terms of controlled or arithmetic data, except for the time required for national reconciliation and framed depth the areas of our peacebuilding architecture that social interactions to produce their expected positive need more attention and reinforcement, taking into effects. account proposals that favour political and inclusive solutions over military ones. In that regard, I would Thirdly, the importance of development in like to take this opportunity to welcome, and express peacebuilding is a sine qua non for lasting peace. Mexico’s full support for, the establishment and Where there is development, there is the possibility deployment of the new United Nations special political of peace. Where there are issues of poverty and mission to Colombia, authorized on 25 January. We disenfranchisement, there cannot be peace or stability. hope that the mission, which will contribute not just to Allow me also to stress the correlation with the rule of the peace process in Colombia but also to the security law at the national and international levels, as, without and stability of the entire region, will develop along the the rule of law, development and therefore peace in a lines I have mentioned and will serve as an example for post-conflict situation could be short-lived. future special political missions. Fourthly, the important role of regional and The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the subregional organizations in peacebuilding is floor to the representative of Algeria. something we totally support, encourage and concur with. Indeed, in the context of the African Union, we Mr. Boukadoum (Algeria): I would like to thank the clearly highlighted this element in our submission Venezuelan presidency for convening today’s meeting. following the invitation by the co-facilitators of the It is a great opportunity for Member States to share their United Nations peacebuilding review to Member States views on the ongoing review process. I would also like to provide written contributions.

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I take this opportunity to thank the Permanent factors that are largely dependent on the substantive Representatives of Angola and Australia for their and coordinated engagement of the Security Council open and transparent stewardship of the process. In and other United Nations bodies in each situation. the Algerian submission, we underlined, among other Furthermore, the ultimate success of peacebuilding issues, the work that needs to be done in order to ensure relies on the attention given to the PBC by the whole that the peacebuilding architecture is well connected international community. with and complementary to the African Union Post- Appropriately, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda Conflict Reconstruction and Development Framework (General Assembly resolution 69/313, annex) and the and the African Solidarity Initiative. I would like 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General to take this opportunity to wish full success to the Assembly resolution 70/1) address the special needs for co-facilitators of the 2015 review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, Ambassadors Bird and financial, trade and development assistance of countries Gaspar Martins, in their endeavour, whose outcome is in post-conflict situations. Goal 16 of that Agenda is expected to be submitted by the end of next month. devoted to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, and all its targets are relevant for situations of The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the post-conflict. However, in his address to the seventieth floor to the observer of the Observer State of the Holy session of the General Assembly, Pope Francis noted: See. “Solemn commitments...are not enough, even though Brother Carroll (Holy See): My delegation they are a necessary step towards solutions...Our wishes to thank the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela world demands of all Government leaders a will that for having convened this open debate on “Post- is effective, practical and constant, with concrete steps conflict peacebuilding: review of the peacebuilding and immediate measures”, not forgetting that “above architecture”. and beyond our plans and programmes, we are dealing with real men and women...who live, struggle and Eleven years ago, drawing on the experience of suffer, and are often forced to live in great poverty, the first 50 years of the United Nations, the High-level deprived of all rights” (A/70/PV.3, p. 4). Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change identified a key institutional gap: there was no place in the United The Addis Ababa Action Agenda recognizes the Nations system explicitly designed to avoid State importance to achieving sustainable development collapse and the slide to war or to assist countries in of delivering quality education to all girls and boys, their transition from war to peace. Consequently, including migrant and refugee children and those in following the 2005 World Summit Outcome (General conflict and post-conflict situations, and providing Assembly resolution 60/1), the General Assembly safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning and the Security Council created the Peacebuilding environments for all. The same Agenda stresses that Commission (PBC) as a subsidiary body of both United capacity development will be integral to achieving Nations organs. Afterwards, the Peacebuilding Fund the post-2015 development agenda. It calls for (PBF) was put in place, and a Peacebuilding Support enhanced international support and the establishment Office (PBSO) was also created. of multi-stakeholder partnerships for implementing effective and targeted capacity-building, especially in The PBC and the PBSO should be praised for the countries in conflict and post-conflict situations. In his work accomplished in many countries, while the PBF speech to the General Assembly, Pope Francis noted deserves generous and constant financial support from that integral human development the Member States. However, the conclusions of the Secretary-General’s Advisory Group of Experts on the “presupposes and requires the right to Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture (S/2015/490) education — also for girls, who are excluded show the complexity and difficulty of peacebuilding in certain places — which is ensured first and efforts. The ability of the PBC to engage with the foremost by respecting and reinforcing the primary host Government as well as civil society and the most right of the family to educate its children, as well as important stakeholders on the ground in the conduct the right of churches and social groups to support and implementation of coordinated actions remains and assist families in the education of their boys crucial and difficult. In addition, there are several and girls. Education conceived in this way is the

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basis for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda” The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the (A/70/PV.3, p. 4). floor to the representative of Switzerland. The Holy See, as a subject of international law, has Mrs. Von Steiger Weber (spoke in French): always been a promoter of peace between countries, Switzerland welcomes the holding of this debate and actively participating in the work of the United Nations, particularly appreciates the current attention that is while the local churches have always been a factor of being devoted to the peacebuilding architecture. reconciliation at the national level. Churches, as well In 2015, the United Nations had to confront a great as many faith-based organizations and development number of crises and conflicts, and what is more, it had non-governmental organizations, have always been at to do so within the context of budgetary constraints. the vanguard of pacification and the reconstruction of At the same time, the review of the peacebuilding regions and countries struck by wars and conflicts. architecture, the peace operations review, the review Moreover, the nearly 100,000 elementary of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) schools and secondary schools as well as colleges and the successful negotiations on the 2030 Agenda and universities throughout the world that are run by for Sustainable Development (General Assembly Catholic organizations are an essential contribution to resolution 70/1) provided an opportunity to scrutinize the building and maintenance of peace. The Catholic activities aimed at sustaining peace and to recalibrate health-care network encompasses more than 25,000 the operational methods of the United Nations. hospitals; dispensaries; clinics; homes for the elderly, One of the most pervasive insights resulting from the chronically ill or disabled; orphanages; and child- those processes is that a fragmented approach is not care centres. All are a part of maintaining local, sustainable. The United Nations must extend its vision stable and secure environments, which are essential beyond the existing silos and strengthen the coherence for the comprehensive approach to peacebuilding of its actions, both substantively and structurally and recommended in the 2015 review. The actions of the with regard to external partners. The same rationale Holy See and of Catholic institutions worldwide are played an important role in the establishment of the fully consistent with the pleas of the Council and other peacebuilding architecture in 2005. Ten years later, United Nations forums to limit the use of arms and why is it then so difficult for us to adopt a coherent implement strategies of dialogue and negotiation, to approach to maintaining peace? Our conclusion is that bridge the way to peaceful coexistence in diversity and first, the United Nations has yet to tap its full potential to use the world’s industrial might and technological with regard to peacebuilding and that, secondly, the prowess to bring about the peacebuilding aspirations peacebuilding architecture and its mandate are more of all. relevant than ever. In his recent visit to Mexico, Pope Francis Switzerland welcomes the draft resolution on the addressed the civil authorities and the diplomatic corps peacebuilding review that is currently being discussed and discussed the building blocks of peace. He stated, by Member States. The text reflects the findings of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of “[l]eaders of social, cultural and political life the Peacebuilding Architecture and the inputs from have the particular duty to offer all citizens the Member States, which have been collected in inclusive opportunity to be worthy contributors to their consultations before and during the negotiation own future, within their families and in all areas process. Furthermore, building on the experience that where human social interaction takes place. In that the peacebuilding architecture has acquired over the way, they help citizens to have real access to the past 10 years, the draft resolution constitutes a strong material and spiritual goods that are indispensable: vision for the future. Some aspects of that vision are adequate housing, dignified employment, food, hardly new, such as the call for increased coherence, true justice, effective security and a healthy and which is to be realized not only through shared analysis peaceful environment.” and planning but also through joint programming. With It seems to my delegation that those words of Pope regard to programming, there are valuable examples Francis speak to the very essence of the peacebuilding from which we can learn, such as the concerted efforts architecture, which we are discussing here today. of the United Nations Development Programme and the

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Department of Political Affairs, or those of the global The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the focal point for the police, justice and corrections. floor to the representative of the Philippines. Other aspects of that vision for the peacebuilding Ms. Yparraguirre (Philippines): We congratulate architecture embody an evolution. In our view, the the presidency of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela most important aspects in that evolution are the for convening this open debate. notions of sustaining peace over the long term and the Preventing conflicts and building peace and architecture’s preventive potential. We are convinced sustaining that peace long after the fighting has stopped that the peacebuilding architecture can contribute to have been among the biggest challenges facing the preventing the occurrence and recurrence of armed international community and the Security Council to conflicts, and we fully support references thereto date. For decades, the United Nations has focused much in the draft resolution. Furthermore, strengthening partnerships — particular those with the World Bank of its resources on peacekeeping. While its track record and the International Monetary Fund — the importance in that field is mixed, with both successes and failures, of inclusive national ownership, respect for human many lessons have already been learned regarding how rights, the meaningful involvement of women at all to carry out the United Nations firefighting role better. stages of peace processes, transitional justice, training There is a lot of work to do, however, in the areas and capacity-building should be prominently reflected of conflict prevention and post-conflict peacebuilding, in the draft resolution. We also believe that the text which are key to real and lasting peace. The Philippines of the draft resolution should clearly refer to the 2030 welcomes and supports the ongoing comprehensive Agenda for Sustainable Development and underscore the review of the peacebuilding architecture aimed at importance of being better able to predict the funding strengthening the existing architecture and ensuring required for peacebuilding. A comprehensive and that it reaches its full potential. The current review substantive resolution would provide the peacebuilding should be mindful of the new realities and of the architecture with the necessary tools to implement changing nature of contemporary armed conflicts. its mandate with renewed vigour. We therefore fully support the thrust of the draft resolution. The Philippines supports the recommendations of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of A reinforced peacebuilding architecture would not the Peacebuilding Architecture on the primacy of infringe upon the unique role of the Security Council as prevention, mediation and political solutions. We support outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. Rather, proposals towards building coherence in delivering the impetus given by the draft resolution, once adopted, sustainable peace in the United Nations system through will enable the peacebuilding architecture, and in the roles of the Security Council, the Peacebuilding particular the Peacebuilding Commission, to better Commission, the Secretariat, the Economic and Social assume its advisory role vis-à-vis the Security Council Council, the Human Rights Council and international and its accompanying role in assisting conflict-affected financial institutions. countries. The Peacebuilding Commission can, moreover, represent added value in situations in which It is deeply regrettable that with armed conflicts the United Nations takes a light footprint approach. It raging over various causes in many parts of the can broaden the spectrum of substantive considerations globe — conflicts at different stages, many of them by highlighting in particular issues inextricably tied recurring — the world still lacks the wherewithal to to socioeconomic development and human rights prevent and overcome conflicts and sustain the peace. and their links to peace and security. It can also help We still see an urgent need to inform and educate the maintain a time horizon that goes beyond a single world on the vast amount of work to be done once form of engagement and contribute to enhancing the guns are silenced and the transition from war to the circle of both internal and external stakeholders development has started. There is a need to appreciate who collaborate in a specific situation. We are fully the fact that peacebuilding requires not just the committed to enabling the Peacebuilding Commission involvement of a country, a group of international and its specific country-configurations the means with actors or the United Nations alone, but the commitment which to provide the Security Council that added value. of the whole world to make it work.

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We also need to address the misperception that While we recognize that we, the Filipino people, peacebuilding can begin only when conflict ends. It is are the drivers and the owners of the peace process, important to stress that the lasting peace is not achieved we acknowledge the overwhelming support of the in a rigid, linear and sequential manner. The United international community, which is just as crucial Nations peacebuilding architecture should provide an throughout that process. The Bangsamoro Peace infrastructure that will support the society until it is Agreement is also supported by a United Nations joint strong enough to stand on its own. Development is the programme that aims to reduce barriers to acceptance linchpin of any peacebuilding initiative. Development of the agreement among key actors in the affected is vital in preventing conflict and in sustaining the communities. The Peacebuilding Fund helps in peace. The fact that development and peacebuilding are stimulating discussions and promoting advocacy on the interconnected cannot be overemphasized. draft legislation on the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace What we have learned from the southern Philippines’ Agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in experience is that peace is a long and arduous process. March 2014, the Philippine Government has an ongoing It will not come overnight. Pitfalls and challenges will peacebuilding process in Mindanao and is working on surface along the way. What is crucial, however, is that passing legislation that would grant autonomy to several all parties remain resolutely on track. provinces in Mindanao. The Bangsamoro Basic Law, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the once passed by the Philippine Congress, is envisioned floor to the representative of Ireland. to implement concrete initiatives linking peace and security, development and human rights. Mr. Donoghue (Ireland): Mr. President, I commend you for having convened today’s discussion. All stakeholders remain firmly on the peace track, and no one is backing out of the peace process. Ireland aligns itself with the statement delivered by A comprehensive normalization track is being put in the observer of the European Union. place involving the decommissioning of the Moro I would like to focus on several aspects of this Islamic Liberation Front’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed debate that are of particular interest to my country. Forces, socioeconomic interventions in communities affected by the decades-long conflict, interim security First, with respect to the crucial role of women arrangements, the reform and strengthening of the in peacebuilding, Ireland concurs with the general police force in the Bangsamoro, addressing transitional recommendation of all three reviews that women’s justice issues and confidence-building components. participation in peacebuilding is vital, both in The seeds of development have been planted, and decision-making related to peace and security, such socioeconomic projects for the transformation of as peace negotiations, and in the vital socioeconomic Moro Islamic Liberation Front camps into productive sphere, encompassing both human rights and communities are continuing. development. The Security Council has acted as a major linchpin of this debate through its adoption of It is also worth mentioning that the Bangsamoro resolution 1325 (2000) 16 years ago, followed by six Basic Law carries concrete gender-sensitive provisions, subsequent resolutions. However, more must be done which recognize that women in conflict and post- by us all to ensure that the gains made in the normative conflict situations are to be protected and empowered framework on women and peace and security extend and should play a decisive role in peace and security from the Council Chamber to field experience and mechanisms and processes. The Comprehensive Peace practice. Agreement with the Bangsamoro is historic, not only because it signalled the end of a long-standing war in The global study on the implementation of the southern Philippines, but also because it is the first resolution 1325 (2000), which Ireland helped to support, peace agreement of its kind in the world to bear the is the first major step towards catalysing movement signature of a woman as chief negotiator — Professor in that area. Frank discussion is now needed on how Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. Following the signing of the its recommendations, along with the gender-related agreement, a woman was tasked to co-chair the Joint aspects of the other reviews, should be implemented. Normalization Committee, and three of four transition Ireland advocates the inclusion in the Council resolution commissions are chaired by women. on peacebuilding architecture of a clear deadline to

46/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 meet the 15 per cent gender marker for financing for very long process. We look forward to the high-level peacebuilding. We also see the participation of women thematic debate to be convened by the President of the in mediation processes as fundamental. That stems from General Assembly in May. As the process evolves, we our own experience in brokering and sustaining peace will need to address some very difficult questions. How on the island of Ireland. Furthermore, we see a vital will we go about breaking down the existing silos so as need for innovative tools and mechanisms with which to ensure a holistic approach to peacebuilding with the to implement resolution 1325 (2000). One example of principles of resolution 1325 (2000) at its heart? How such tools is the Global Acceleration Instrument, a can we implement the Sustainable Development Goals flexible funding mechanism and platform to spur the in a way that addresses the root causes of conflict? resolution’s implementation, which will be launched Are we willing to make the tough decisions regarding tomorrow at an event co-hosted by Ireland. predictable financing in order to enhance the innovation Secondly, conflict prevention is at the very core of and implementation of peacebuilding mechanisms? the mandate of the United Nations. The Organization And how can we ensure that every step taken in New was established not merely to end the Second World York is one more step towards resolving the challenges War in its entirety, but also to prevent a recurrence. faced on the ground? Calls for a greater focus on conflict prevention permeate the three reviews. The report (see S/2015/490) I thank you again, Mr. President, for convening of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of this dialogue. Let us not forget that, in reviewing the the Peacebuilding Architecture recommends that the United Nations peacebuilding architecture in all its Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) act as a bridge dimensions, our fundamental goal is the prevention of between those sitting in the Security Council Chamber war and conflict and the creation of a safer world for and those on the ground who witness the stirrings of all. conflict. The report also calls for the PBC to be afforded The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the more flexibility, stressing the need for it to move away floor to the representative of Bangladesh. from the strictures of its formal agenda in order to respond to emerging crises in any country or region Mr. Momen (Bangladesh): We thank the Security at any time. Ireland encourages the co-facilitators to Council presidency for organizing this open debate on explore with the Security Council the possible role of a highly pertinent issue. We appreciate the valuable the PBC in identifying early warning signs of conflict. thoughts shared by the briefers. We also ask that the resolution mandate the changes needed to adapt the working methods of the PBC to the Emerging from the ashes of our independence unpredictability, geographic diversity and challenges war in 1971, Bangladesh undertook an arduous yet presented by today’s wars and conflict. sustained process, moving from post-conflict recovery and reconstruction to nation-building in four decades. Thirdly, with regard to mandate design, Ireland’s As a nation, we have yet to close certain chapters of that long history of support to United Nations peace defining event, as is evident from our ongoing efforts operations has afforded us an opportunity to learn from to break the culture of impunity regarding the crimes both successes and mistakes. We strongly concur with against humanity and the genocide committed during the general finding of the reviews that mandates and the war. missions do not lend themselves to a one-size-fits-all approach. Every conflict has unique characteristics. The defeated ideologies of the war also tend Any United Nations mission to support countries to resurface at times to undermine the democratic, in conflict should reflect that. Ireland supports the pluralist, non-communal and secular values that we suggestion to establish a role for the PBC to advise the cherish as a nation. Our journey from a war-ravaged, Security Council on the mandates of peacekeeping and aid-dependent economy to one that is now marked by technical assistance operations. The resolution should strong macroeconomic fundamentals, steady economic be coherent with the follow-up processes linked to the growth, inclusive socioeconomic development, a sound other reviews, in particular the peace operations review. trade and investment regime and a determined effort The publication of the reports of those three to move towards a low-carbon pathway has also been reviews represents only one step in what will be a marked by many trials and successes.

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That serves to reinforce the point that peacebuilding interface between the Peacebuilding Commission and per se is not a quick or easy fix that can take place in a the Peacebuilding Fund must be visible in terms of their linear, prescriptive fashion. Each conflict setting must respective outcomes, again without conceding their carve out its own course for recovery and reconstruction comparative advantages. leading to durable peace, in which the international Fourthly, the notion of sustaining peace, as community can play a supportive, catalytic role. Those elaborated in the Advisory Group’s report, is such an insights have motivated Bangladesh to remain engaged all-encompassing construct that it inevitably brings to with the work of the Peacebuilding Commission from the foreground the question of adequate, predictable the outset, assuming its chairmanship in 2012 and and sustained financing for peacebuilding efforts. organizing the Commission’s first high-level meeting In recognition of the useful services rendered by the the same year, under the stewardship of our Prime Peacebuilding Fund, we see merit in the suggestion to Minister Sheikh Hasina. create an assured financing stream for the Fund based As we see it, there would be a gap in our on assessed contributions. If we are truly committed understanding of peacebuilding if we were to consider it to giving peacebuilding a chance under United Nations only from the context of post-conflict recovery. Without auspices, we should work on finding creative ways to sustained, long-term efforts to address the underlying match the predictability of financing with the flexible, drivers of conflict, sufficient alacrity to read the rapid-response capacity of the Fund. early warning signs on the ground and a combination Fifthly, and lastly, the primacy of national ownership of will and agility to pre-empt and prevent conflicts, defined by inclusive and accountable processes should peacebuilding might risk becoming merely an ad hoc, remain at the heart of peacebuilding efforts. As we see piecemeal exercise. That is the overarching message again and again, prescriptions from outside, without that we have drawn from the report (see S/2015/490) sufficient buy-in among a cross-section of national of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the actors, including women and youth, have never had a Peacebuilding Architecture, which makes a compelling lasting impact. The potential role of peacebuilding in case for changing the mindset here about the way we contributing to participatory political processes, human view and engage with peacebuilding in the United development, social justice and institution-building Nations. In that spirit, we wish to flag five issues that should ideally be driven by national consensus in we believe are cardinal to the current initiative of the conflict-affected situations. review of the peacebuilding architecture. To conclude, we urge the Council to ensure that the First, peacebuilding must be owned and appropriated ongoing peacebuilding architecture review will turn by the principal organs of the United Nations, in due out to be a real game-changing exercise in this seminal recognition of the interaction among peace and security year for the United Nations peace and security agenda. and development and human rights. As witnessed during the review exercise, each constituency has The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the certain values to add to peacebuilding efforts without floor to the representative of Nigeria. compromising their respective mandates. Mr. Laro (Nigeria): The Nigerian delegation thanks Secondly, the desired coherence in peacebuilding you, Sir, for organizing this open debate on the review of will critically hinge on the level of commitment the United Nations peacebuilding architecture. We also demonstrated by the Security Council on behalf of thank the briefers, Ambassador Kamau, Ambassador United Nations peacebuilding efforts. The Council’s Skoog and Ambassador Rosenthal, for sharing their focused and meaningful utilization of the existing perspectives on this important topic. resources is expected to enhance the value of the Nigeria welcomes the report (see S/2015/490) of Peacebuilding Commission’s advisory role and the the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding Fund’s needs-driven financing support. Peacebuilding Architecture. We commend the Advisory Thirdly, the Peacebuilding Commission’s Group for the effort put into preparing the report. The convening capacity must be leveraged to further report indicates that, while progress has been made broaden its orientation and engagements and relieve with regard to the peacebuilding efforts of the United it of its rather formulaic, agenda-based approach. The Nations, considerable challenges still remain. Our

48/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 statement will focus on the following recommendations Envoys and Advisers on the one hand and United in the report. First, the need for a strong partnership Nations country teams on the other. We commend the between the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and Advisory Group of Experts for highlighting this issue regional and subregional organizations; secondly, the and promoting an enhanced, integrated approach. need for improved leadership and inclusive national Finally, Nigeria reaffirms its support for the 2015 ownership of peacebuilding processes; and, thirdly, ensuring predictable financing for peacebuilding. review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture and remains fully committed to the objectives of the Nigeria supports the recommendation made by the process. We encourage Member States and other Advisory Group on the need for a strong partnership stakeholders to continue to render their support to the between the PBC and regional and subregional review process as we collectively seek to improve the organizations. Those organizations are usually the peacebuilding architecture of the United Nations. ones closest to the areas of conflict, and are often the first to respond when conflicts break out. It is for The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the that reason that we endorse the recommendation that floor to the representative of Finland. the PBC should hold consultations with regional and Mr. Sauer (Finland): I align myself with the subregional organizations with a view to promoting statement made earlier by the observer of the European sustainable peace. We believe that peacebuilding efforts Union. will be more effective when regional and subregional organizations, as well as countries contiguous to I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf fragile States, are given the necessary encouragement of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, to actively participate in peacebuilding processes. Sweden and my own country, Finland. National leadership, ownership and inclusivity In today’s world, conflicts are not only increasingly are central to post-conflict peacebuilding. They must present, but also more complex. The need for rapid, therefore be strengthened through inclusive politics. flexible and preventive peacebuilding work is greater Where peacebuilding efforts are rooted in inclusive than ever. We must therefore ensure that the tools at consultative processes, trust and legitimacy in the our disposal are sharp and fit for purpose. We have State and its institutions are likely to be enhanced. a collective responsibility to make the whole United Efforts to sustain peace must start with the crafting Nations system deliver better — before, during and of genuine, open and inclusive peace accords that after violent conflicts. reflect the broad aspirations of all stakeholders in post-conflict societies. On predictable financing for The review of the peacebuilding architecture peacebuilding, we encourage affected States to explore provides us with an excellent opportunity to move this domestic sources of financing for peacebuilding. In agenda forward. Allow me to highlight five aspects to this connection, we urge Member States to provide which the Nordic countries pay particular attention: them with technical support aimed at improving State integration, prevention, inclusiveness, gender equality capacity in the management of natural resources, and institutions. public funds, tax collection and curbing illicit financial First, we need a more effective and integrated flows. We welcome the recommendation that the United Nations system. This means breaking the silos Peacebuilding Fund should have predictable financing and bringing the three pillars of the United Nations through a symbolic 1 per cent of peacekeeping system together. Cooperation must be seamless. operations expenditure or $100 million, whichever is Peacebuilding is inherently about linking security higher, annually, as core funding for the next 15 years. and development better together. Only through this Nigeria recognizes the difficulty of adopting an comprehensive approach can we truly address the root integrated approach to peacebuilding among United causes behind fragility and conflict, while subsequently Nations entities empowered by different mandates. We also enhancing the effectiveness of our work with therefore see merit in having one set of objectives and our partner countries. Political analytical capabilities a single vision to guide all actors on the ground. This should be enhanced and our analysis of conflict drivers calls for closer coordination and integration between improved. There is also a need for a coordinated the Secretary- General’s Special Representatives, planning process of peacekeeping and peacebuilding

16-04784 49/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 activities, in order to ensure a smooth transition from To conclude, I want to reiterate the commitment of peacekeeping operations to longer-term development. the Nordic countries to the review of the peacebuilding architecture. The Security Council can count on us to Secondly, the message from all recent United be engaged also in the next phase as we move towards Nations reviews and processes is clear. We must once the actual implementation of the reforms. and for all put prevention of conflict at the centre and guarantee adequate resources for preventive action; The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the otherwise, we will continue aiming our resources at floor to the representative of the Republic of Korea. curing symptoms. In the long run, prevention not only Mr. Hahn Choonghee (Republic of Korea): The saves money, but, most importantly, it saves human Republic of Korea appreciates the initiative of the lives and alleviates suffering. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to convene today’s Peacebuilding not only prevents countries from open debate on “Post-conflict peacebuilding: review relapsing into conflict but also from lapsing into of the peacebuilding architecture”. This debate is conflict in the first place. Peacebuilding is an inherently particularly timely as it takes place at a time when political process, and, as such, an important answer to both the Security Council and the General Assembly the call for the primacy of politics. are preoccupied with the negotiations over the draft Another common message stemming from the joint resolutions on the review of the peacebuilding peace and security reviews is the need for a more architecture. people-centred approach. This leads to my third Let me also thank the current and former Chairs point: inclusiveness. Inclusive national ownership of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Ambassador is crucial to a successful peacebuilding process. The Kamau of Kenya and Ambassador Skoog of Sweden, participation of local communities and civil society, respectively, for their insightful briefings to the including women and youth organizations, in peace Council, each bringing unique perspectives from and reconciliation processes must be given higher different phases of the review, which is in its final stage. priority. The potential of youth as agents of positive change must be recognized, and we welcome Security I also thank Ambassador Rosenthal, who has been Council resolution 2250 (2015), on youth, peace and sitting beside me throughout the entirety of today’s security, adopted last December. The responsibility and debate, and his team for the tremendous work done in accountability to ensure this widest possible inclusion leading the Advisory Group of Experts, whose findings remains with every individual country. have stimulated very useful and vibrant discussions on the subject of peacebuilding in the first phase of the Fourthly, the genuine participation of women in review, and the delegations of Angola and Australia, all aspects of peacemaking and peacebuilding is an which are navigating the second phase of the review indispensable foundation for solid peace and sustainable as co-facilitators of the intergovernmental negotiations. development. Women’s participation is crucial to the success of economic recovery, political legitimacy and The Republic of Korea, as the recently elected social cohesion. Women bring to the table questions and Vice-Chair of the PBC and as a member of its concerns that are important to the entire population. Organizational Committee since 2015, fully supports Promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment the statement made by the Chair of the PBC in the is an investment in the stability of societies and the earlier part of today’s debate. prevention of conflict. In particular, we concur with the view that, as Finally, I would like to highlight the critical we work together to operationalize the outcome of importance of strengthening the rule of law in countries the review, we need to develop the links between our emerging from conflict in order to help stabilize the collective desire to sustain peace and the principles situation, end impunity, tackle the underlying causes agreed under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable of conflict and build lasting peace. Effective and Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1). In impartial institutions and judicial and security sectors this regard, let me lay out my delegation’s views on the are essential for peacebuilding. We must do more to issues proposed by the presidency in its concept note create responsive institutions based on the rule of law. dated February 1 (S/2016/104).

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First, one of the most salient observations made by Thirdly, peacebuilding is a cross-cutting activity the report of the Advisory Group of Experts (S/2015/490) that connects the development, peace and security is that the current peacebuilding architecture must and human rights pillars of the United Nations. This overcome the perennial challenges of underpriority, interlinkage is of particular importance to the PBC, underfunding and fragmentation. Taken together, these which was established as an intergovernmental challenges are a reflection of the fact that a decade after advisory body to the Security Council and the General its establishment, the Peacebuilding Commission has Assembly with a specific mandate to focus attention yet to find its proper place within the United Nations on the reconstruction and institution-building efforts system, making it difficult to reach its full potential to necessary for recovery from conflict and to support prevent the outbreak, resurgence and relapse of armed the development of integrated strategies in order to conflict. lay the foundation for sustainable development. The Republic of Korea, as a donor to the various United To address such shortcomings of the past decade of Nations conflict-prevention activities, including the peacebuilding, the Republic of Korea is of the view that Peacebuilding Fund, recognizes the important nexus due institutional arrangements and political attention between development and peace and security and by the Organization should be given to peacebuilding intends to increase its contribution in this area in the activities, starting with members of the Security years ahead. Council. As the primary organ responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Finally, the importance of the role of regional and Security Council must be a true partner and patron of subregional organizations across the full spectrum of sustaining peace. In this regard, the Republic of Korea United Nations peace operations cannot be emphasized applauds the recent trend seen in the Security Council enough. The need to engage regional and subregional to include the PBC in its deliberations, including the organizations in the variety of efforts undertaken by series of open debates convened last year during the the United Nations in pursuit of peace and security Chile and United Kingdom presidencies, in January and has been identified in all recent reviews, including November, respectively (see S/PV.7359 and S/PV.7561), the report of the Advisory Group of Experts and the as well as the Council briefing and informal interactive report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace dialogue organized under the Malaysian presidency in Operations (see S/2015/446). The Republic of Korea is June (see S/PV.7472). glad to see that the elements related to this particular aspect of peacebuilding have garnered consensual Secondly, the Republic of Korea also agrees with the support among the wide membership participating in point articulated in the Venezuelan presidency’s concept the intergovernmental negotiations. note (S/2016/104, annex) that successful peacebuilding requires extensive long-term engagement, with the In conclusion, the adoption of the 2030 Agenda recognition that it may not progress in a linear manner. for Sustainable Development last September (General After the decade-long peacebuilding experiment, one Assembly resolution 70/1), in particular Goal 16, concrete lesson learned from our experience is that which calls for peaceful societies, access to justice and genuine and sustainable peacebuilding efforts cannot inclusive institutions, presents a historic opportunity for be limited to post-conflict activity, but rather as efforts the United Nations peacebuilding discourse to address to prevent the lapse and relapse into conflict. a much broader spectrum in future. In this final phase of the review, the onus is now on the Security Council Such an aspiration to prioritize the vision of and the General Assembly to seize the opportunity and long-term and sustainable peace is embodied in the lay a foundation for the next decade of a lasting and concept of “sustaining peace” introduced in the report sustaining peace. of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the the Peacekeeping Architecture (see S/2015/490) and floor to the representative of Argentina. later explained by its authors to the Member States. It is therefore our intention to highlight the long-term Mr. García Moritán (Argentina) (spoke in nature of peacebuilding engagement in our capacity Spanish): First of all, we welcome the invitation of the as the Chair of the PBC’s Working Group on Lessons Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, acting in its capacity Learned. as President of the Security Council, to participate in this

16-04784 51/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 important open debate on “Post-conflict peacebuilding: eradication, social development, the promotion of review of the peacebuilding architecture”. We also democracy and respect for human rights. welcome the statements made by Mr. Macharia The aforementioned preventive approach includes, Kamau, Permanent Representative of Kenya and Chair in a necessary and decisive manner, inclusive national of the Peacebuilding Commission, Mr. Olof Skoog, ownership in the peacebuilding process, that is, a Permanent Representative of Sweden and former Chair fundamental involvement of Governments and of the of the Commission, and Mr. Gert Rosenthal, Chair various political and social stakeholders in the Member of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of States involved in these processes. As the report the Peacebuilding Architecture, whose efforts in the notes, such inclusive national ownership should be process we value and warmly acknowledge. It is a great encouraged, since the United Nations and international pleasure to see Mr. Rosenthal again. actors can support and facilitate this process, but not My country welcomes the report of the Advisory lead it. Group of Experts (see S/2015/490) in that it has In this context, we understand the need to highlighted a number of the outstanding challenges we systemically address the processes of peacebuilding, as see for peacebuilding today, more than a decade after has been done through the incorporation of a gender the establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission. perspective and, perhaps with greater flexibility, Ten years after its establishment, we have a unique reflecting on how it could work beyond the format of opportunity to make a difference. We must not waste it. country configurations. Peacebuilding activities are In these 10 years we have learned various lessons carried out in the field, not at agency headquarters, and found excessive fragmentation in the actions given that domestic realities must take precedence. For of the Organization, dispersion of efforts and some this, it is necessary to have flexible approaches, since inconsistency in the strategies. Coordination among the there is no single approach that will work in every case. principal organs of the United Nations that proposed (spoke in English) establishing the Commission is today far from being effective, which is why we must analyse the deficiencies There is no “one size fits all” in peacebuilding. of the system and bring about its repair through concrete (spoke in Spanish) measures that bolster integration. The lack of attention devoted to peacebuilding is The Commission has the potential to be a bridge reflected mainly in the meagre allocation of resources between the Security Council, the General Assembly to the development of related activities. In that regard, and the Economic and Social Council, as well as we stress the need for predictable and sustainable between Headquarters in New York and field activities, funding for peacebuilding activities. And in that vein, bringing together all other relevant stakeholders in we agree with the recommendation by the Advisory peacebuilding, including at the national, subregional Group to allocate $100 million to the Peacebuilding and regional levels. Reaching systemic coherence in Fund annually or, if the figure were greater, an amount peacebuilding strategies should be our main objective. equivalent to 1 per cent of the total budget of the United The review of the peacebuilding architecture Nations for peacekeeping operations and special and the parallel reviews of United Nations peace political missions, in the framework of contributions operations and of resolution 1325 (2000), on women established for the budget of the Organization. and peace and security, are focused on prevention. Another important point raised both in the report The preventive approach currently favoured by the of the Advisory Group and in your concept note Organization is linked to the concept of “sustaining (S/2016/104, annex), Mr. President, is the need to peace” understood as an ongoing process that involves review the time frames on which the processes and the peacebuilding system not only at the post-conflict programmes towards the achievement of sustainable stage but also before and during conflicts. It is based peace are structured. They must necessarily be longer on a comprehensive approach that takes into account as they refer to stages of development. The 2030 Agenda the need to address the root causes of conflict through, for Sustainable Development (General Assembly inter alia, strengthening the rule of law, the promotion resolution 70/1), which we approved in September 2015, of sustained and sustainable economic growth, poverty proposes the promotion of fair, peaceful and inclusive

52/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 societies, thereby linking the sustainment of peace and We hope that the current stocktaking and analytical development. Peacebuilding architecture that aspires review of the peacebuilding architecture will result in to sustain a stable international order cannot neglect the strengthening of its added value to overall United these three interrelated dimensions: development Nations peace efforts. challenges, financing and time frames consistent with The peacebuilding architecture was established the objectives to be achieved. 10 years ago to prevent countries from relapsing into Lastly, I would like to emphasize that regional violence, to mobilize resources and political will, and and subregional organizations are also essential to to build national capacity for long-lasting peace and partnerships that are conducive to peacebuilding development. It was established as an integrated field processes. In that regard, in the Americas, consideration that brings together different elements of conflict should be given to the role that could be played by the resolution, with particular emphasis on holistic Organization of American States or other subregional United Nations action and the eschewal of fragmented organizations such as the Community of Latin approaches. American and Caribbean States, the Union of South American Nations and the South American Common Today peacebuilding activities have become Market. increasingly complex, multidisciplinary and multifaceted. Post-conflict development programmes Argentina welcomes the fact that the issue of are implemented in countries where the root peacebuilding has been brought to the attention causes of conflict — underdevelopment, rising of Member States and trusts that the review of inequality, denial of human rights and weak State its architecture, which began with the report of institutions — are intricately linked. More should the Advisory Group, will help to strengthen the be done to better harmonize and adjust the mostly Organization, giving it more effective tools to foster standard development strategies and activities of peace and the development of peoples. international organizations and bilateral donors to The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the the complex political, security and social realities in floor to the representative of Slovakia. conflict-affected countries. I would also underline the need for gender mainstreaming in all United Nations Mr. Komada (Slovakia): I wish to thank you, peacemaking and peacekeeping work. It is vitally Mr. President, for having organized this debate on important to better understand and explore ways to post-conflict peacebuilding and the review of the make peace more durable, and to deal with the root peacebuilding architecture. I should also like to thank causes and issues that drive conflict. the briefers — the Permanent Representatives of Sweden and Kenya to the United Nations, and Ambassador Gert More than a decade after the establishment of the Rosenthal — for their comprehensive presentations. Peacebuilding Commission, we still face the challenges of how to more effectively measure, monitor and My delegation associates itself with the statement evaluate progress in the context of peacebuilding. delivered earlier by the observer of the European Union. I will limit myself to a few remarks. Chronic wars and protracted conflicts prevented the full achievement of the Millennium Development Advancing peace and security, and helping to build Goals in many countries around the world. The peaceful and just societies around the world lie at the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General heart of the work of the United Nations. Sustaining Assembly resolution 70/1) — the next generation of peace requires continued engagement by and greater development goals — acknowledges the role of violence coherence and coordination among the General and fragility in cycles of poverty and the important Assembly, the Security Council and the Economic and link between peace and development. The inclusion of Social Council, consistent with their mandates as set Goal 16 and its 12 related targets in the 2030 Agenda out in the Charter of the United Nations. for Sustainable Development reflects the growing Currently, we are in a critical period for global recognition of the importance of peace, safety and good peacebuilding, as demonstrated by our ongoing efforts governance to the traditional development paradigm. to reinforce the relevance and impact of United Nations When countries transition out of conflict, Goal 16 peacebuilding on a successful war-to-peace transition. should provide a platform for continuity of support to

16-04784 53/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 reforms in all rule-of-law areas, which are critical to considering the necessity for peace operations. In that sustaining peace. respect, United Nations cooperation with regional and subregional organizations is integral to sustaining Effective peacebuilding requires a thorough international peace and security. reform of the security sector in societies emerging from conflict, as the provision of security and the The report of the Advisory Group of Experts rule of law are assumed to be core preconditions for on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture the achievement of sustainable peace. In unanimously (see S/2015/490) also acknowledges that the task of adopting resolution 2151 (2014), the Security Council sustaining peace globally goes beyond the capacity reaffirmed that reforming the security sector in post- of what the United Nations can deliver on its own. conflict environments is critical to consolidating peace Partnerships with local communities, regional and and stability, promoting poverty reduction, the rule of subregional actors, donors and civil society are essential law and good governance, extending legitimate State to make peace sustainable. authority and preventing countries from relapsing into South Africa is encouraged by this aspect of the conflict. report and the progress made by the United Nations The Security Council also recognized the in strengthening its partnerships with regional important role of the Peacebuilding Commission and organizations, particularly the efforts to institutionalize the Peacebuilding Fund in supporting security-sector its relationship with the African Union. Cooperation reform. Security-sector reform must remain a key with regional and subregional organizations is critical, element in the political processes of States recovering as the need for sustainable development in post-conflict from conflict. Governments, regional organizations scenarios is contingent on the regional environment and the United Nations must continue their assistance in which these countries exist. In that regard, my in support of national efforts to develop security delegation calls for greater synergy between the institutions that are accountable, accessible and efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission and those of responsive to the needs of their population. regional and subregional organizations, in particular the African Union and its post-conflict reconstruction In conclusion, I would like to underline that the and development policies and organs. relevance of civil-society engagement, including women’s civil-society organizations, in peace and Some of the key conclusions and recommendations security matters is emphasized in both the 2015 emanating from the report of the Advisory Group report of the High-Level Independent Panel on Peace of Experts on the 2015 review of the peacebuilding Operations (see S/2015/446) and the 2015 review of the architecture also remind us that the United Nations has United Nations peacebuilding architecture. the core mandate of sustaining peace. As a result, that thread must flow throughout all of the Organization’s The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the engagements, from preventative action to peacemaking, floor to the representative of South Africa. peace enforcement, peacekeeping and post-conflict Mr. Mminele (South Africa): Please allow me recovery and reconstruction engagement. That mandate to join other delegations in congratulating you, must inform and be incorporated across all the sectors Mr. President, for having convened this timely and and phases of action. It is for those reasons that South informative debate. Let me also congratulate the Africa supports the recommendation that the challenge co-facilitators of the intergovernmental peacebuilding of sustaining peace should be assumed by the entire architecture review, the Permanent Representatives United Nations system, including the three relevant of Angola and Australia, on the excellent manner in intergovernmental organs. South Africa believes that which they are moving the process forward. I assure such efforts should include other role-players, such them of South Africa’s support. I also wish to thank as the international financial institutions, the private Ambassadors Kamau, Skoog and Rosenthal for their sector, local communities, regional and subregional briefings. organizations and donors. My delegation recognizes that the core message My delegation is supportive of having the Security of the reviews of the peace operations is that conflict Council exercise some flexibility in its working methods prevention must be a central component when in order to allow the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)

54/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 to effectively play its role in advising the Council on The review of the peacebuilding architecture is institution-building in post-conflict situations. We entering its final phase, with the intergovernmental encourage the Security Council, working in consultation negotiations on the identical draft resolutions to be with the PBC, to make sure that peacebuilding tasks adopted by the Security Council and the General related to institution-building are working in an Assembly. I would also like to also thank Ambassador appropriate synergy with all peacekeeping mandates. Skoog for his briefing, which was edifying, and pay a heartfelt tribute to the work carried out by Ambassador The report of the Advisory Group of Experts also Rosenthal and the members of the Advisory Group of calls for a people-centred and inclusive approach at the national level that will provide a common vision to Experts. My delegation also welcomes the briefing by all domestic stakeholders. South Africa fully supports the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), that approach and believes that national ownership of Ambassador Kamau, and reiterates its full support to peacebuilding efforts is at the core of creating sustainable him. institutions in the immediate aftermath of conflict. The Since the establishment of the PBC, 10 years international community has the obligation to build ago, significant progress has been achieved, first, in on national efforts and advise countries, based on the understanding the specific challenges that emerge priorities that they have identified for themselves. The from conflict and, secondly, in better coordinating United Nations and the international community in international efforts, including among United Nations general should support and complement national efforts entities. However, further progress can still be made towards the development of institutions immediately through our collective efforts, in particular in improving after the signing of a peace agreement and the end our ability to mobilize resources over the long term and of open conflict, in order to support the newly found in coordinating the actions of various donors in order peace. Where peacekeeping operations exist, capacity- to support the strategies that have been worked out with and institution-building should be simultaneously the Governments concerned. pursued if conditions so permit. The Kingdom of Morocco is engaged in We support the need for the Peacebuilding Fund to peacebuilding activities, both at the bilateral level leverage funding so as to catalyse additional voluntary and at the level of the United Nations as a member of contributions, and for the Fund to consider developing the Peacebuilding Commission for third time since a new funding area around efforts to strengthen the its establishment and in its capacity as Chair of the capacity of regional organizations. PBC’s Central African Republic country-specific Finally, my delegation maintains the view that configuration since January 2014. In that context, institution- and capacity-building in post-conflict the Kingdom of Morocco supports the review of the countries requires a substantial injection of resources peacebuilding architecture, and its interlinkage with the and more predictable funding. Consideration should strategic review of peace operations and the review on be given to having the United Nations finance the the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) is crucial. Peacebuilding Fund from its assessed contributions, Those reviews will, we hope, allow us to harmonize all as recommended by the Advisory Group of Experts, in the intervention modalities within the United Nations in order for the United Nations to achieve its objective of countries in conflict or emerging from conflict — from sustaining peace. prevention to post-conflict stabilization, peacekeeping and the management of the transitional period. In that The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the regard, we welcome the initiative taken by the President floor to the representative of Morocco. of the General Assembly to hold a high-level debate on Mr. Laassel (Morocco) (spoke in French): At the peace and security in May. outset, I would like to thank the Bolivarian Republic I would now like to highlight some particular points of Venezuela for organizing this debate at a time when that seem to us to be of central importance. the international community is striving to review the peacebuilding architecture. We also congratulate you, The review invites us to change our understanding Mr. President, for the quality and clarity of the concept of peacebuilding and to view it through a broader note (S/2016/104, annex) that you have shared with prism. The complexity of the new conflicts facing the Member States. international community transcends the traditional

16-04784 55/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 view of conflict resolution followed so far, as was noted The transfer of responsibilities between a mission by the Advisory Group of Experts. Any peacebuilding and the country office continues to be problematic, process should be part of a holistic approach that given the differences in human and financial resources combines all actions — from prevention to restoring between those two entities. It is for that reason that peace, peacekeeping and post-conflict State-building. the capacities of country offices should be further strengthened. The interaction among the various United Nations actors and external actors in peacebuilding should be Thirdly, it is time that the PBC’s role and position in reviewed so as to ensure better synergy in the efforts the peacebuilding architecture be given the recognition carried out both at the strategic decision-making level and interest they deserve. Having an advisory role, and in the field. Peacebuilding must also be carried out the PBC is called on to support the work of the main from a multidimensional perspective that takes into organs of the United Nations and to coordinate their account the economic, political and social aspects of peacebuilding efforts within the framework of an the conflict. integrated and global approach. The Council has to increase its interaction with the PBC and its country- Secondly, we must ensure that all components of a specific configurations beyond simply looking at post-conflict society, all movements and all political and annual reports of the Commission and the periodic ethnic allegiances are included. That is a prerequisite for reports on the six countries on its ageanda. Called on the success of peacebuilding efforts. Looking for peace to fulfil the three main functions under the mandate, should not be a goal in and of itself. Rather, peace must namely, political support, the mobilization of resources be constantly maintained and should be considered as and ensuring coherence among various actors in a way to bring about security, prosperity and the well- peacebuilding, the PBC and its country configurations being of affected populations. In order to be definitive have become a major player in maintaining peace and and lasting, peace must emerge from within the society promoting development in post-conflict situations. The in conflict and not be imposed from outside. A peace Commission and the country configurations must be that does not bring together all the vital forces of the systematically invited to take part in the deliberations country cannot last. of the Council, which should take fully into account their contributions and proposals. Peace should not be viewed in a standardized and uniform way or applied in a one-size-fits-all manner. Fourthly, mobilizing appropriate financial support A simplistic vision of peace that does not take into in a structured, predictable and lasting way is the key consideration the particularities of every situation, the to the success of peacebuilding actions. Without the priorities and sensibilities of each population will be appropriate financial resources to provide financial doomed to failure. support, the initiatives aimed at bringing together all parties to a conflict to disarm former combatants, The involvement of women in the early stages of integrate them into society, restore State authority, the peace process is essential, given their proven role reform the security and justice sectors and provide in easing tensions, promoting economic recovery economic recovery are at risk of not being achieved. and strengthening political legitimacy and social The stakeholders, be they of the United Nations, local cohesion. Civil-society actors and non-governmental stakeholders, Goverments, the private sector, regional organizations must also be involved to a greater extent organizations or international financial institutions, in the work of the PBC. Their presence on the ground must cooperate in order to define as closely as possible and their knowledge of the situation in the country, as the funding needs for peacebuilding activities in post- well as their analytical capabilities, allow them to make conflict countries. relevant proposals on the long-term strategies that need to be adopted. The Peacebuilding Fund is one of the components of the peacebuilding architecture that has had an The transition process at the end of the mandate extremely positive impact since its creation. Success of a United Nations mission must be carefully planned means that it is now a recognized and viable actor and based on an objective and careful analysis of the when it comes to financing in post-conflict situations. situation under review and must not be the result of Nonetheless, although its track record is largely positive, purely budgetary or logistical considerations. the Peacebuilding Fund cannot simply content itself

56/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 with voluntary contributions coming from members. is not merely the absence of conflict. That is why More interactions, and not only with donors, will the Charter of the United Nations sets out three enable it to inform all Member States on the numerous fundamental and interdependent pillars that are projects financed by the Fund. Those steps, which are mutually reinforcing: ensuring international peace and being put in place, would enable it to broader the donor security, achieving development and promoting and base and encourage even those countries that already protecting human rights. In the same vein, last year we contributing to the Fund to increase their contributions. adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1), which indicates that The work carried out by the PBC on generating sustainable development cannot be achieved without domestic resources and local tax collection, the fight against illegal flows and support for the proper use of peace and security and that these are at risk without natural resources must be strengthened, together with sustainable development. In that context, we believe it international financial institutions, in order to allow is important to mention the direct relationship between countries emerging from conflicts to particpate equally sustainable development Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda in the economic recovery of their economies. with peacebuilding, given that building of stable, fair and peaceful societies in which human rights are Fifthly, peacebuilding efforts can be successful only respected and promoted, thus enabling participation in if they are part of a global and integrated development the political, social and cultural life of a country, would strategy that fights the deep underlying causes of be the best guarantee for lasting peace. conflicts and meets the hopes and socioeconomic aspirations of countries emerging from conflicts. Peace With that interdependence in mind, over 10 years and development are independent and indivisible. To ago we decided to build a peacebuilding architecture for be efficient and have lasting effect, peacebuilding the United Nations with a view to permanently breaking must take into account and attempt to resolve the the cycle of conflict by attacking its root cuases. underlying causes of conflict. Rebuilding a viable Unfortunately, in this review process we have noted the economy after a long period of conflict remains one of limited impact of the structure when developing its work the more difficult challenges within the peacebuilding of supporting States that have suffered the consequences process. A country emerging from conflict has to be of conflict during the process of peacebuilding. We able to ensure macroeconomic stability, create jobs agree with the report of the Advisory Group of Experts and generate economic growth. Convinced that South- on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture on the South cooperation has become essential because of the need to adopt a series of measures to improve actions urgency and scope of challenges facing developing and in the field and give direction to peacebuilding, leaving fragile States, Morocco works bilaterally and trilaterally behind the problem of fragmented responsibilities to put together specific and diversified partnership across the agencies of the United Nations system. My projects in productive sectors, stimulating growth and delegation believes that the Peacebuilding Commission creating jobs that help with human development and must play a role of coordination, promoting synergies directly affect the lives of citizens. and connections between the main bodies of the Organization and agencies of the system responsible for The President (spoke in French): I now give the supporting States that have suffered from the results of floor to the representative of Peru. conflict. That should be complemented with its main Mr. Meza-Cuadra (Peru) (spoke in Spanish): We function of supporting States in post-conflict situations welcome the initiative of holding this open debate, which by applying policies drawn up by national Governments gives us an opportunity to consider the current United in accordance with their priorities, bearing in mind Nations architecture review process for peacebuilding the interdependence among security, development and in post-conflict situations. We are particularly grateful human rights. to Ambassador Rosenthal, who is here today, for the Peru has always expressed its strict adherence to valuable report (see s/2015/490) he presented, as well the principle of national ownership of the execution as to the briefers for their presentations made this of national development plans in the process of morning. peacebuilding in post-conflict situations. For we Since the foundation of the Organization, the believe that peacebuilding is inherently an internal international community has understood that peace political process, where the Government of a country

16-04784 57/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 that has suffered from a conflict must work with the architecture and five years from the previous review, political forces, former combatants and civil society we are yet to realize its full potential. That serves to organizations in order to achieve national reconciliation underline the importance of focusing on concrete and set national priorities for development. The work of steps on how to make the peacebuilding review lead the United Nations should be to facilitate that process to concrete results. Estonia would like to highlight the by providing assistance, political support and the following aspects that are crucial for bringing the full necessary financing to establish the basis for lasting potential of peacebuilding to the fore. peace. We must put the prevention of conflict at the centre Peru believes that the scope of the challenge if we are serious about sustaining peace. That was one of maintaing lasting peace requires that the United core message that came out from last year’s reviews — the Nations establish broader strategic and operational United Nations system needs to strengthen its ability links with regional and subregional organizations, as to prevent conflicts from reoccurring. Peacebuilding well as with international financial institutions. The is primarily a political process that requires long-term latter is fundamental to ensuring appropriate financing engagement. It should address the structural causes of for the work of peacebuilding on the ground. Peru also conflicts as well as contemporary risks of recurrence. believes that the General Assembly should review One of the most effective ways to sustain peace and the appropriateness of providing greater resources prevent conflict is by building national capacity, to develop peacebuilding activities, as well as to strengthening domestic institutions and supporting strengthen the Peacebuilding Support Office. good governance. In that context, I would also like to highlight that sustainable development is crucial for In conclusion, I believe that that the United Nations sustainable peace. should adopt a holistic focus that includes preventive diplomacy actions in support of the processes of Peacebuilding should no longer be viewed as merely peaceful conflict resolution, preventing the relapse of a post-conflict activity, but rather the challenge to meet conflict and making peacebuilding possible. In that in order to sustain peace throughout the complete cycle regard, early warning systems should be adopted to of our engagement. In that regard, Estonia would like to prevent conflicts in strategies and the actions of all underscore the importance of linking the peacebuilding United Nations agencies, particularly those directly review to the Secretary-General’s review of peace involved in development work. The adoption of such operations, the review of Security Council resolution a holistic focus will make it possible for us to resolve 1325 (2000), on women and peace and security, and the fragmentation of the system when it comes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable peacebuilding processes and include the objective of Development (General Assembly resolution 70/1). This attaining lasting peace as the realization of the mission holistic approach of addressing the interdependence of the Organization to save succeeding generations between peace, security and development should from the scourge of war. include the protection of human rights, including attention to women’s rights, whose meaningful The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the participation in peace consolidation can significantly floor to the representative of Estonia. improve the results. Mr. Jürgenson (Estonia): I would like to thank the Better coordination is needed if we are to Venezuelan presidency for organizing today’s timely strengthen peacebuilding. Effective national, regional debate on the review of the peacebuilding architecture. and international partnerships enable more relevant approaches to targeting specific peacebuilding Estonia aligns itself with the statement delivered needs to be jointly developed. The United Nations by the observer of the European Union and would like system — both at country level and at Headquarters to make the following remarks in its national capacity. level — needs to work in a more coordinated fashion. To The international community still witnesses that end, Estonia, in its capacity as the Vice-President too many countries relapsing into conflict within of the Economic and Social Council, has participated short periods of time. While there have been notable in discussions with the Peacebuilding Commission on successes in peacebuilding, it is important to note finding ways to strengthen cooperation between the that, 10 years from the inception of the peacebuilding two bodies.

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Lastly, more predictable and sustained funding is make the Peacebuilding Commission more relevant and required to achieve the full potential of the peacebuilding efficient. architecture. Estonia has supported the Peacebuilding We welcome the considerable accomplishments Fund (PBF) since 2013, as we believe that the PBF is achieved by the PBC since its establishment, in 2005, an effective peacebuilding instrument for providing but we also recognize that it is facing with many catalytic, fast and flexible assistance. However, since challenges. There is an impression that the expected the PBF remains a relatively small-scale strategic fund, impact of the PBC is far from being fully achieved. In it has to be complemented by longer-term commitments that context, we believe that additional improvements from other financing sources, such as multilateral and of the Commission’s working methods, as well as their regional development banks. rationalization, would be welcome. There is also a The increasing number of violent conflicts across need for improving and strengthening the relationship the globe serves as a strong reminder of why we need between the PBC and the three principal United Nations to attach greater importance to peacebuilding, as it is organs — namely, the General Assembly, Security an important avenue for conflict prevention. Estonia Council and the Economic and Social Council — as believes that we need to use the opportunity that the well as other relevant actors. peacebuilding review offers to produce bold, concrete Croatia advocates for a holistic, people-centred, and significant outcomes for reinvigorating the country-tailored approach to peacebuilding that peacebuilding architecture. recognizes national specificities, respects regional The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the expertise and empowers local actors. At the same floor to the representative of Croatia. time, international efforts should be more effectively integrated into locally and regionally owned efforts Mr. Medan (Croatia): We thank the Venezuelan towards building peace. Croatia also advocates for the presidency for holding today’s timely debate on the need to facilitate and build broadly inclusive national review of the peacebuilding architecture. ownership. We believe that women’s empowerment Croatia aligns itself with the statement delivered greatly contributes to enhancing inclusivity and earlier by the observer of the European Union. I would cohesion, and therefore welcome the fact that the PBC like to make some additional remarks in my national continues to attach importance to the role of women capacity. in peacebuilding and their contribution to building and sustaining peace. We also stress the importance Croatia welcomes the report (see S/2015/490) of of the inclusion and empowerment of youth in national the Advisory Group of Experts and fully supports its peacebuilding priorities and actions. We welcome the conclusions that the United Nations must see sustaining fact that the PBC recognizes the indispensable role peace as the core task set by the Charter of the United played by young people in any effort to sustain peace. Nations. Peacebuilding should not be regarded as a For peacebuilding efforts to be successful, long-term peripheral activity within the United Nations but as a political and financial support is needed, as well as high priority. partnerships among local communities, Governments, The concept of peacebuilding has evolved since the the private sector and regional and international inception of the peacebuilding architecture, reflecting organizations, including international financial the changing nature of international threats in an ever- institutions. changing world. Originally conceived in the context of Peacebuilding requires the sustained and post-conflict recovery efforts to promote reconciliation coordinated commitment of national, regional and and reconstruction, the term peacebuilding has more international actors. Sustaining peace requires coherent recently taken on a much broader meaning. There is and coordinated action among the principal organs recognition that the peacebuilding should not be limited of the United Nations, between Headquarters and the only to post-conflict engagement. field, and among different peacebuilding actors. There Many agree that the Peacebuilding Commission is also the need for a parallel focus on political, security (PBC) should adapt to a rapidly changing environment. and development issues. We therefore believe that the In that context, we share the view that we have to use review process of peacebuilding architecture should the review of the peacebuilding architecture in order to be linked to other review processes — namely, the

16-04784 59/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 review of peacekeeping operations and the review of international Organization has to be more adaptive. the progress in the implementation of resolution 1325 Modern conflicts have tended to transcend borders, (2000) — as well as to a new sustainable development entering a new, transnational dimension. While that agenda. All those processes should establish strong makes the role of the United Nations a fundamental linkages among peace, security, development and one, it does the same for the regional and subregional human rights. True, comprehensive development cannot organizations that take on a more specific responsibility be achieved and sustained without peace. Likewise, for conflict areas. In that regard, creating alliances is peace cannot be achieved or sustained without justice, crucial. and peace, development and justice are not possible Since the maintenance of peace is the principal without respect for human rights. objective of the United Nations, it is essential that we The peacebuilding architecture review process gives have shared responsibility and that all its Members us a chance to improve our prospects for advancing the focus seriously on prevention, reconstruction and post- course of peacebuilding, and that opportunity should conflict recovery, not just on the imposition of peace. not be missed. Finally, let me reiterate Croatia’s strong The fragmentation and lack of cohesion in the United support to such efforts. Nations are major problems that pose significant The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the obstacles to peacebuilding, and we have to address and floor to the representative of Costa Rica. solve them and thus provide a speedy response to them. Mr. Mendoza-García (Costa Rica) (spoke in We should place great emphasis on preventing Spanish): We congratulate you, Sir, and the Venezuelan conflicts, both operationally and structurally. The Mission for the work it is doing this month during big challenges to peace require, among other things, its presidency of the Security Council and for establishing greater economic equity, building having convened today’s open debate on a subject of sustainable development, human security and effective vital importance for my delegation. We thank the democratic participation, and replacing a culture of Ambassadors of Kenya and Sweden and Mr. Rosenthal violence with a culture of peace. Violent conflicts for their briefings earlier today. are often a symptom of the existence of profound inequalities, social exclusion, violations of human As a peace-loving nation that voluntarily disarmed rights and a lack of good governance and the rule of 67 years ago, Costa Rica is a firm believer in the peaceful law, to name only a few. Our challenge is arriving at settlement of conflicts between peoples and between transitions to lasting peace that can enable democratic States within a framework of international law and participation in decision-making and the full multilateral diplomacy. That decision was made based implementation of the Goals, targets and indicators of on our conviction of the importance of contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General international peace and security, principles that govern Assembly resolution 70/1). Achieving sustainable our foreign policy. It is vital that we exchange the logic development is a prerequisite for preventing relapses of confrontation, blame and war for one of good faith, into conflict. goodwill and peace. Peacebuilding definitely requires more time than As is stipulated in its Charter, the main objective we currently allow it. We must work on post-conflict of the United Nations must remain the maintenance of reconstruction by rebuilding legitimate institutions peace, which requires that we act preventively and in and restoring the people’s trust. That requires adequate a timely fashion and that we be capable of preventing transition time and careful attention to human rights, conflicts and of maintaining a presence during and security and sustainable development. That is how to after them. The post-conflict period is a critical stage, build inclusive, sustainable peace that is not imposed and under no circumstances should be pushed into the and runs no risk of relapsing into conflict. background. Since its creation, the United Nations approach to the maintenance of international peace Women’s participation is and will remain essential and security has evolved significantly. The global to maintaining peace. As stated in the Secretary- dynamic has changed, with the emergence of new types General’s report (S/2010/466) on women’s participation of conflicts and movements. The situation is more in peacebuilding and the report (see S/2015/490) of complex and the clashes last longer, and therefore the the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the

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Peacebuilding Architecture, women are crucial partners not born out of nothing but is rather the result of a in the transition from war to peace. They are key agents constant building process, a question of responsibility in promoting social cohesion, political legitimacy and to humankind and one that must be worked on if it is economic recovery. We must also continue to demand to be achieved. In that regard, we are very honoured respect for the policy of zero tolerance for sexual abuse. that Costa Rica hosts that academic institution, in recognition of our pacifist, democratic, unarmed civic In regions as diverse as Central Asia, Africa and the tradition and on our trust in the multilateral system and Middle East, many countries are struggling to address international law as our only instruments of defence. the root causes of conflict, while in January 2014 the Presidents and Heads of State of Latin America and the At this seventieth anniversary of the United Nations, Caribbean proclaimed the region a zone of peace and the three review processes connected to peace — of reiterated their continued commitment to the peaceful peace operations, the peacebuilding architecture and settlement of disputes, with the goal of banishing women and peace and security — have taken on great forever the use or threat of use of force in our region. importance. What is crucial now is to be able to integrate Our Heads of State also stressed the commitment of them and, above all, to truly understand and apply the the States of the region to complying strictly with their experts’ recommendations. It is vital that we meet Goal obligation not to intervene, directly or indirectly, in the 16 of the 2030 Agenda, which we must all support in internal affairs of any other State and to observing the order to promote and strengthen security at both the principles of national sovereignty, equal rights and the national and international levels by strengthening people’s right to self-determination. democracy and human rights and promoting respect for the rule of law. The world we bequeath to future We are very happy with the joint statement of generations demands an enduring and collective effort 19 January issued by the Government of Colombia and if we are to build a lasting and sustainable peace for all. the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia committing to their final peace accords. That goal The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the became even closer with the Security Council’s floor to the representative of Paraguay. unanimous adoption, on 25 January, of resolution Mr. González Franco (Paraguay) (spoke in 2261 (2016), which creates a political monitoring and Spanish): On behalf of the Government of Paraguay, I verification mission that will have the support of the would like to congratulate your country, Mr. President, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. on the way it has led the Security Council this month, On top of that came the announcement, on 16 February, enabling us to hold important debates on issues that of the creation of a post-conflict stabilization and demand urgent and thorough attention on the part peacebuilding fund. There can be no question that of the membership of the United Nations. Today we the support we provide to that peace process will be meet to discuss its new peacebuilding architecture, an of benefit to the whole world. Costa Rica hopes that issue that is particularly important considering what a Colombia will achieve its longed-desired irreversible challenge it is to try to achieve settlements, peace and transition from war to sustainable peace with the reconciliation for post-conflict societies. support of the international community. One might think that the importance of My delegation believes that peacekeeping and peacebuilding and its architecture is merely relative, peacebuilding are necessarily achieved through the vital only to those countries that endure the tragic promotion of a culture of peace. We are talking about experience of conflict. But the level of attendance and an educational task based on studying and preventing interest in this debate underscores the commitment that conflict, eliminating cultural violence, and promoting every State made to the task of adapting its structure, disarmament, as well as educating people so that procedures and multilateral approach to today’s new dissent and non-conformism do not become triggers requirements in order to make them clearly more of violence. Peace will continue to be a constant effective. challenge demanding means, resources, personnel and While the current peacebuilding architecture is thoughtfulness. barely 10 years old, the pace of events and the results The existence of the University for Peace sends we have achieved have brought us to the realization that a message that tells the entire world that peace is where we are now is at the end of a phase. As a nation

16-04784 61/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 that promotes peace, we contend that complying with Mr. Minah (Sierra Leone): I wish to commend the the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Venezuelan presidency of the Council for convening Nations demands that we come up with new methods of this important debate. It is indeed timely that we are work that include early warning systems and effective here today while elsewhere deliberations continue on monitoring mechanisms. That can be achieved through the twin draft resolutions concerning the Advisory budgets that are more needs-based, the more efficient Group of Experts report (see S/2015/490). I would like management of available financial resources and better- to commend the work of the Swedish chairmanship of trained human resources, all of this within a modern the Peacebuilding Commission and wish Ambassador institutional framework that will enable us to sustain Kamau the very best as he assumes the post of Chair. peacekeeping results. But above all, it will enable us to I would also like to acknowledge the work of the prevent a relapse into conflict. co-facilitators of the intergovernmental process and commend them for the way in which they are guiding I need not remind the Council that billions of our work. dollars have been allocated for quite some time now by the international community to programmes aimed With your indulgence, Mr. President, I will submit at stabilizing post-conflict situations, without the my written comments as part of the record, but I will necessary conditions for sustainability required to now address certain salient points which I believe have ensure that their effects are perceptible in the medium arisen during the course of our debate. and long terms. In such cases, we could affirm that, The issue of sustaining peace is the central focus given the absence of such a structure and objectives, of the Advisory Group of Experts report. For that we the resources of States have not been efficiently used in commend Ambassador Rosenthal and his team for the context of the weakening and exhaustion of funding focusing our attention on the urgency of the matter. As sources. far as Africa is concerned, it has been a key beneficiary We therefore highlight the crucial importance of the peacebuilding efforts of the Organization and of coordinating efforts to ensure that the effects and of key partners. We realize, however, that we need to benefits of development are linked with those resulting do more. We fully expect and hope that the guns of from similar endeavours undertaken on the basis of conflict will grow silent by 2020, and that is reflected the guiding principles of peacebuilding, as there is no in our “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want”. Africa doubt that the progress made in terms of development welcomes the key recommendations of the Advisory will inevitably have the effect of consolidating the Group of Experts report, and we believe that it provides prevailing elements that strengthen peacebuilding and us a way forward. improve post-conflict conditions. On the issue of the definition of sustaining peace, Finally, and without suggesting this is less or peace sustainability, we believe that on this issue a important, we want to stress the necessary and urgent compelling case has been put forward by Ambassador optimization of resources that should accompany Rosenthal and his team. It is now a question of the any reformulation of the peacebuilding architecture. evolution not only of our thinking but also of practical, We believe that regardless of the modalities for political and diplomatic responses to the report. The old reformulation, it would be unacceptable to think of yet thinking of peacebuilding as post-conflict, or thinking another drain on financial resources without clearly of peacebuilding as something that happens when defined objectives and results, as has happened in considering a relapse into conflict, is now outdated. We the past. The international community is already fully concur with that position. engaged in too many joint efforts, such as achieving Peacebuilding encompasses a whole range of the Sustainable Development Goals and a new climate activities on conflict prevention. It starts before a conflict change agenda, to stress only the most important, is fully realized, when we see the causes of conflict which require ongoing and increasing efforts in all gathering. In the deliberations we have had today, the areas and the maximal optimization of existing and issues have focused on financing and the viability of future resources. the report. I do believe that the consensus is that the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the report is well received and its core recommendations floor to the representative of Sierra Leone. are worthy of our strong consideration. But beyond

62/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 accepting the report and beyond praising the report, it to peacebuilding and humanitarian programmes. It is calls for compelling action. Time is of the essence. The not, therefore, wildly ambitious; we believe that it is, in Organization, both within its core institutions, agencies fact, quite modest. and committees in-house and those in the field, needs We believe that the Secretary-General’s marker to evolve and adapt to the new realities. Africa, as one of 15 per cent for gender mainstreaming in all of the primary beneficiaries of peacebuilding efforts, peacebuilding programmes is similarly modest and welcomes a greater, innovative partnership with the something that we should heartily embrace. Research United Nations. We believe that the African Union shows that, in any peacebuilding process, the effect of Peace and Security Council and the Security Council having women fully involved increases the chances of together can deepen their relationship for the benefit success. Sierra Leone has been cited as an example of of all. a relative success in terms of peacebuilding, and for With the reports that were recently delivered to that we are grateful for the work of the Council and us–the Advisory Group of Experts report and the all those who supported us on our journey. From our Secretary-General’s report (S/2015/716) on women and darkest hours, days and months, we have evolved into peace and security and the implementation of resolution a fully functioning State, with institutions that are 1325 (2000)- and with all the elements that we have growing stronger every day. As everyone is aware, the to consider, it is important that we do not waste time. advent of Ebola knocked back some of the gains made We welcome the deliberations on the draft resolutions, in peacebuilding and threatened others. However, with but we are concerned that the question of financing the support of the Organization, we believe that we are seems to be a sticking point. It is quite clear that for on our way to economic recovery. peacebuilding, or rather sustainable peace, to take hold, It is quite true that peacebuilding can only be an there has to be clear, predictable financing. adjunct to the efforts of the national Government. All We take on board the concerns of those States national Governments have the authority to take care and those delegations that are concerned that assessed of their citizens in terms of stability and economic contributions may not be the way to go. However, we security. However, when one has a situation in which believe that multi-year voluntary contributions must the national Government has perhaps collapsed, be the minimum standard. It is for those delegations asymmetric warfare has taken hold and rebel groups that consider that the assessed contributions route roam the territory of a particular nation, it is time for might be problematic, given the United Nations the United Nations to step in. But as the report clearly financial system, namely, the Fifth Committee and the indicates, there are markers before one gets to the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary full-blown conflict, that is, indicators that the peace, Questions, to make the case that there is another option stability or security of the State are jeopardized. The that is equally satisfactory. The need for funding is report quite properly calls for our attention and focus critical to all that we hope the Peacebuilding Fund, the at that time, prior to conflict, the outbreak of hostilities Peacebuilding Support Office and the Peacebuilding and the breakdown of society, and we welcome that Commission will evolve and become. Without it, they focus. will not fulfil our best hopes. I do not believe that we need to have an in-depth The issue of financing is one that I believe we can debate about what the report posits as peace resolve. It is possible to create a mechanism of oversight sustainability or sustaining peace. I do believe that we that can look at both a twin track of assessed and should concentrate our attention on the challenges of voluntary contributions and report to the Council and peace sustainability. That requires in-house reform, the to the Commission on its success during a pilot phase. evolution of the institutions within the house and efforts I do not believe that we have to choose one or the other. on the ground. Sierra Leone has also been posited as an The course of the deliberations during the discussions example of a situation where the mission evolved from on the draft resolutions appears to have moved away a classic peace operation into an integrated mission. from the symbolic 1 per cent, the $100 million mark. That integrated mission was not integrated simply as However, as has been reported and noted here in the a matter of theory, but actually as a matter of fact. Council, the figure, the symbolic 1 per cent is a mere The concept of the Executive Representative of the drop in the ocean of the billions in funds that are devoted Secretary-General, combining the roles of the Resident

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Representative and of the Resident Coordinator of the search for peace. We welcome once again the efforts the United Nations Development Programme arm, of the Experts, but now it is the turn of the diplomats was novel and worked successfully. In effect, the to match their work and also ensure that the search for mission — the integrated office — was domesticated peace is fully realized. within the national institutions of Sierra Leone. By The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the that I mean that the Executive Representative of the floor to the representative of the Netherlands. Secretary-General had full access to all the organs of the Government, including the presidency. Mr. Van Oosterom (Netherlands): I align myself with the statement made on behalf of the European While we look to the past for examples, we must Union earlier today. look to the future and commend the work that the Peacebuilding Fund, the Peacebuilding Support Office I will read out a shortened version of my statement and the Peacebuilding Commission have undertaken to in view of time constraints. The full version will be date. In order for them to do more, it is important that made available on my Twitter account. we answer the question of financial sustainability and Let me also thank the Government of the Bolivarian that we also ensure that they have the political impetus Republic of Venezuela for organizing this timely debate. and direction to evolve as they should. It is fitting that a neighbour of Colombia has We welcome the deliberations and efforts on the part invited Member States to reflect on the importance of all organizations, including civil society and other of peacebuilding. The recent history of that country multilateral and financial entities, which are focused shows that it takes political courage and perseverance on the issue of peacebuilding and the future of peace to overcome obstacles to sustain sustainable peace in sustainability. It is perhaps fitting that the Council, a country. The comments just made by our colleague which gave birth to the peacebuilding architecture, from Sierra Leone are another positive example in that remains engaged today on the issue. context. The test of our efforts and the test of any success Let me also thank Ambassador Macharia Kamau and that we can claim will be borne out when the least Mr. Skoog for their briefings this morning. Furthermore, advantaged of populations in conflict societies can the King of the Netherlands welcomes the report (see see a measure of hope and a future where the conflicts S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group of Experts, which that have inflamed them will end. Beyond ending the provides clear recommendations for improvement and conflict, it is important that the economic drivers of reform in the practices of peacebuilding, and we pay peace be fully embedded. That requires the work of the tribute to the work, words and wisdom of Ambassador development financial institutions and international Gert Rosenthal and thank him very much. I will focus financial institutions and bold, creative and innovative on three points: partnerships, coherence and peace thinking on the part of the World Bank and other premier operations. financial institutions. The link between the Council, the Organization and those other financial institutions When it comes to partnerships, peacebuilding must be strengthened and deepened. We are all called can only be durable and inclusive if we view it as a on not only to be the makers and enforcers of peace, but partnership that involves all of those who have a also the sustainers of peace. Collectively, our actions stake in peace. We need not only the participation of the belligerent parties, but also that of local as diplomats, politicians, ministers, representatives of communities, local Governments, women, youth, civil society and citizens must make a difference. business communities, regional organizations and I hope that the deliberations on the draft resolution non-governmental organizations. In our view, women’s will produce a resolution worthy of its name and worthy participation, as it has already been said today, is of the efforts of the members of the Advisory Group a condition for peace. We need to invite women to of Experts. We owe succeeding generations no less. participate on panels and at negotiating tables, and we The core objective of the Council’s responsibility is support the initiative of Mr. De Mistura to establish the search for peace, and as members of the General an independent women’s advisory board in his Office. Assembly, the principle organs and intergovernmental The Kingdom of the Netherlands strives to support entities, we all must collectively assist the Council in partnerships for peacebuilding in practice. Since 2012,

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UNICEF has implemented an innovative programme instruments. In that context, we also see a close link known as the Peacebuilding, Education and Advocacy between peace, justice and development. Programme, with the help of the Peacebuilding In addition to supporting physical safety and Support Office, and the Netherlands helped to make political dialogue in conflict-affected States, the that programme possible. That partnership combined restoration of trust in the maintenance of law and educational activities with academic development order is of equal importance. Security sector reform with a view towards peacebuilding and advocacy and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration under national ownership, in conjunction with political are the main components of building peace. The police efforts. It was implemented in 14 countries, including component in missions should be further developed. Pakistan, Uganda, Somalia and Liberia. It is an example Resolution 2185 (2014), on the role of police in peace of a coalition of stakeholders working towards the same operations, underlines the fact that police organizations goal: to give children and youth the tools to support are the primary link between the Government and the peace in their country. community in the field of security. They also provide With regard to coherence, the Kingdom of the an essential element of the transition to stabilization. Netherlands considers it of the utmost importance that In conclusion, I would like to refer to the draft the peacebuilding review be linked to the Secretary- resolution on the peacebuilding architecture now being General’s review of peace operations, the review negotiated in the General Assembly. In our view, the of resolution 1325 (2000) and the 2030 Agenda draft resolution should give a clear and actionable on Sustainable Development (General Assembly mandate to the Secretary-General aimed at overcoming resolution 70/1). Linking the recommendations of those silos and addressing the fragmentation within the crucial reviews and processes should ensure maximum United Nations system. We support the Ambassadors coherence of United Nations actions. The high-level of Angola and Australia in their efforts made on behalf thematic debate in the General Assembly in May of that draft resolution. provides us with an opportunity to reflect on concrete The next points I am going to make were also just ways of enhancing coherence within the United made by our colleague from Sierra Leone, namely, that Nations system on the issues of peace and security. peacebuilding activities are currently hampered by a In addition, to prevent and effectively end conflicts lack of funding. In order for the Peacebuilding Fund the Security Council has a range of possibilities at to contribute substantively to peacebuilding efforts, it its disposal. We welcome a more effective use of must be able to rely on more donors than the ones that existing mechanisms, such as horizon scannings and are bearing the burden now. Aside from the Netherlands briefings by Special Advisers and other bodies such being a large donor, we advocate for more and more as the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding reliable funding and backstopping of special political Support Office and the Department of Political Affairs. missions, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and Furthermore, we believe that Resident Coordinators mediation, in the Fifth Committee and other forums. and Special Representatives should be accountable for Let me conclude by reiterating our strong support, the efforts of the United Nations during the entire cycle as a partner of the United Nations for peace, justice of conflict. Only this morning we hosted a meeting and development, for the United Nations peacebuilding between the United Nations Development Programme architecture. and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to enhance their cooperation on the ground on rule- of The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the law implementation in post-conflict situations. We floor to the representative of Botswana. must build bridges between the silos within the United Mr. Nkoloi (Botswana): Botswana congratulates Nations. your country Sir — Venezuela — on its assumption of The third point on peace operations — during or the presidency of the Security Council for the month after a conflict, a coherent United Nations strategy of February. We assure you of our support as you discharge your mandate. should focus on joint goals and deliverables, on the basis of a shared conflict analysis and with complementary We commend the Security Council for continuing roles for political, military, police and development to engage us in debates like this one, as they provide

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Member States an opportunity to share views on various appreciates the contents of the report and believes that themes — for example, like today on the review of the its recommendations deserve due consideration. peacebuilding architecture. We also thank the briefers My delegation believes that, in order to promote for providing us with vital information this morning. growth and development, countries that are emerging Pursuant to the relevant General Assembly from years of sustained conflict must as a matter of and Security Council resolutions that called for a fact invest in instruments of peace, capacity-building, comprehensive review of the peacebuilding architecture, inclusive governance and very strong institutions. the need to continuously re-examine and strengthen Therefore, we believe that the international community peacebuilding frameworks at national and international can share experiences and lessons with post-conflict levels has become even more apparent. We applaud countries in order to cultivate a culture of post-conflict the efforts by the Secretary-General to institute such a reconstruction, maintaining peace, reconciliation and review by appointing an Advisory Group of Experts on institution-building. In that regard, Botswana remains the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture, whose ready and willing to contribute in its own small way report (see S/2015/490) is the basis of our discussion towards the strengthening of institutions of governance, here today. particularly within the African continent. It is the considered opinion of my delegation that We also note that the United Nations system is the Peacebuilding Commission, the Peacebuilding increasingly experiencing dwindling resources as it Fund and the Peacebuilding Support Office collectively grapples with the rising tides of conflict across the play an important role in building and sustaining peace globe. We therefore need to find creative ways of and international security. As we examine history, introducing predictable funding methodologies for we acknowledge the fact that our continent, Africa, peacebuilding initiatives to support the Peacebuilding which has had its fair share of internal conflicts Fund. and strife, remains an integral part of the peace and In conclusion, we commend all the work that has security architecture. However, we believe that the been achieved thus far with respect to the review of fact that the majority of our post-conflict countries the peacebuilding architecture. While the achievement still remain fragile and increasingly vulnerable to be of international peace and security has at times proved of significance. They very often have weak, or no, elusive, Botswana remains firmly convinced that that institutions of governance, the rule of law has broken can be achieved with concerted effort at the international down, any socioeconomic development capacity is level. In that respect, we reaffirm our abiding faith in absent and they need to be supported over long periods. the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United As history has shown, peacebuilding processes Nations, including to save succeeding generations from are themselves very complicated and need time to be the scourge of war. consolidated. They need extensive and comprehensive The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the patience to avoid the resurgence of violence and the floor to the representative of Ecuador. reopening of healed wounds.We therefore regret that, even up to now, no proper or predictable funding Mr. Morejón Pazmiño (Ecuador) (spoke in mechanisms are established at regional and international Spanish): I thank you, Mr. President, for convening levels to ensure that the seeds of sustained economic this important debate. I very much appreciate what was growth are safeguarded through reconstruction said by Ambassador Kamau, Ambassador Skoog and Ambassador Rosenthal this morning, for it touched on and a recovery period. We call on the international the very essence of what we want to talk about today. community, especially the United Nations system, to I also want to stress the fact that Mr. Rosenthal has ensure proper coherence and coordination in promoting been present here right from the start of this morning’s an efficient peace and security funding framework. debate, a courtesy that I greatly appreciate. The United We note that the report of the Advisory Group Nations was born on 24 October 1945 from the ashes of of Experts has identified many shortcomings in the the Second World War to maintain international peace work of the peace and security architecture, not only and security, one of its founding principles. Following at international and national levels but also within the Holocaust, we regarded peace only as the absence of the United Nations system. My delegation therefore war. Nevertheless, in the twenty-first century, 70 years

66/71 16-04784 23/02/2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding S/PV.7629 later, peace continues to be absent, since were it present entire United Nations system, in particular its three then justice, dignity, development and the elements of main intergovernmental organs, must make the effort the visionary Sustainable Development Goal 16 would to accord it due priority and attention. Fourth, we must all be present too. On the contrary, poverty, human ensure more predictable funding for peacebuilding. rights violations and conflicts continue to affect ever The goal of $100 million is a disproportionate sum greater populations. What is most serious is that those compared to the tremendous amount spent on the conflicts have become increasingly complex, ever more peacekeeping operations. My delegation believes that fragmented, more difficult and risk laden. contributions to the fund could be both voluntary and quota-based. Fifth, there is a need to achieve broad Such developments over time and the evolution of and inclusive participation by the societies with which the contexts in which conflicts arise underscore the they work in the field. Sixth, we must ensure women’s need for a change in the way peacebuilding is viewed. full participation in the entire peacebuilding process, The Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the from beginning to end. And seventh, the triangular Peacebuilding Architecture noted in its report (see relationship among peace, development and human S/2015/490) that the fundamental task of the United rights means that all three of the Organization’s Nations — the maintenance of peace — does not receive components must work in close collaboration. due priority or adequate resources at the global level or within the United Nations system. I conclude with a moral reflection by His Holiness John Paul II in his encyclical on peace: that we are duty- That statement compels my delegation to address bound to build a peace that is sustainable over time and the root causes of the Organization’s inability to prevent that requires us to be responsible in helping to build a the resurgence of the conflicts that have once again decent society for humankind. engulfed brotherly countries, posing major threats to, and resulting in serious consequences for, the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the peacebuilding efforts of the United Nations and other floor to the representative of Canada. international and regional actors, and in weaknesses Mr. Grant (Canada) (spoke in French): The and divisions not only within their own organizational 2015 review of the peacebuilding architecture, along structure but throughout the entire United Nations with the concurrent reviews of peace operations and system. However, my delegation also recognizes the of resolution 1325 (2000), have enabled us to draw Organization’s underlying concern about this important important and complementary conclusions. Preventing issue. violent conflict and the achievement of sustainable Twenty-four years ago, the then Secretary- peace must remain at the forefront of our efforts in General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, in “An Agenda for the area of international peace and security. All three Peace” (S/24111), defined and analysed post-conflict reviews provide us with an important opportunity peacebuilding. To that end, several new initiatives have to learn from years of experience and to reflect the been taken, including the creation of the peacebuilding growing global consensus that peace, stability and architecture. Recently we have seen the report of the development are inextricably linked. Secretary-General entitled “The future of United Canada believes that peacebuilding efforts must be Nations peace operations: implementation of the in line with and in support of that concept in order to recommendations of the High-level Independent Panel allow for better functioning at all stages of the conflict on Peace Operations” (S/2015/682) and the report of cycle. Indeed, we see peacebuilding as encompassing the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the actions before, during and after conflict in order to Peacebuilding Architecture (see S/2015/490). The maintain peace. That means that conflict prevention, latter contains substantive and analytical content on its including the prevention of the resurgence of a conflict, findings and recommendations. must be at the core of our peacebuilding efforts. To that end, it should be acknowledged that the root causes of Let me briefly touch on just a few points. First, and solutions to conflicts are political in nature. peace must be the common denominator of all of the Organization’s activities. Second, we must shift the We commend the Advisory Group of Experts for Organization’s focus from response to prevention. having clearly articulated that point and for making Third, the task of maintaining peace means that the constructive recommendations in that regard in its report

16-04784 67/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 on the 2015 review of the United Nations peacebuilding Council for having convened today’s open debate architecture (see S/2015/490). It is now incumbent upon on the review of the peacebuilding architecture. We Member States and organs of the United Nations to also welcome the briefings made earlier today by the adopt and implement reforms that will revitalize the Permanent Representatives of Kenya and Sweden and international community’s ability to effectively prevent Ambassador Rosenthal on the subject under discussion. and respond to instability and conflict. Similarly, my delegation thanks and acknowledges the presidency for having directly inscribed the (spoke in English) Organization of American States (OAS) on the list of Canada deeply appreciates and supports the speakers for today’s open debate, without having each key elements of the draft resolution prepared by of its member States speaking on its own behalf. co-facilitators Angola and Australia on the 2015 The General Secretariat of the OAS shares the view review of the peacebuilding architecture. The draft that peacebuilding must be viewed as broadly and as is substantive and ambitious, but realistic. We are comprehensively as possible. Peacebuilding cannot encouraged by the wide-ranging level of engagement be regarded as a mere step in the post-conflict stage, in this process to date and will continue to support the as that would remove from the concept elements that co-facilitators’ efforts and to engage constructively must inevitably be taken into account in addressing with all Members. In particular, we wish to see the underlying causes of conflict. The mandate of reforms that will improve United Nations operational the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding coherence, both in New York and in the field, enhance generations from the scourge of war can be achieved the role of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in only through an integrated approach that allows for conflict prevention and strengthen its efforts to advise a thorough analysis and concrete action to prevent the Security Council. conflict. Although emergency actions taken to end On this last point, Canada’s experience as Chair crises and start immediate reconstruction efforts are of the Peacebuilding Commission’s country-specific absolutely necessary, it is in the stages prior to that configuration on Sierra Leone has reinforced for us outcome on which the international community should that the PBC has a particular role and added value in focus, by investing the political diplomatic capital and the design of mission mandates to ensure support for development efforts required. longer-term peacebuilding objectives. In this instance, The nexus between development and peacebuilding the United Nations presence entailed a gradual appears to be a pattern that should be highlighted drawdown from an integrated peacekeeping mission and analysed. Without harmonious development that through different iterations of special political missions, is sustainable and inclusive, achieving a society in to graduation from the Security Council’s agenda. At which peacebilding can reach the necessary standards the present time, the United Nations country team on and levels of stability is unthinkable. The General the ground is working in close collaboration with and Secretariat of the OAS is of the view that there can be no in support of the priorities of the Government of Sierra peacebuilding without the promotion and the protection Leone. of human rights. Any peacebuilding process will be Canada urges the Council to remain engaged in inconclusive and lacking in foundation wherever the the ongoing peacebuilding review. Through close human rights of the population are not considered the cooperation between the Council and the Peacebuilding main reason for action. Similarly, the role of women must be given special consideration in peacebuilding Commission, we remain confident that we can efforts. operationalize concrete measures to enhance United Nations and international responses to the threat of With regard to the regional perspective, and in the violent conflict. Canada looks forward to continuing context of the provisions of Article 52 of the Charter such discussions. of the United Nations, the Organization of American States works with a vision to prevent, promote and The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the protect rights, based on the premise of more rights for floor to Mr. Koncke. more people. One of the conclusions that we take away Mr. Koncke (spoke in Spanish): I would like from the report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group to begin by thanking the presidency of the Security of Experts, as well as the tasks of the Peacebuilding

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Commission, is the relevance of regional and with the aftermath of conflicts and conflict prevention, subregional organizations in preventing and resolving not to mention upholding the responsibility to protect. conflicts, as well as in taking action in all pertinent More often, however — peacebuilding, being both a phases. In that context, the Organization of American political and a technical process — the United Nations States relies on the legal tool under Article 52 of the has continued to struggle in matching the critical gap Charter, the Charter of the Organization of American between applying existing top-down technical strategies States and the Interamerican Democratic Charter, and the political realities on the ground. In many cases among other instruments. post-conflict peacebuilding has been carried out as a purely operational process, using blueprints that Early detection of indicators of crises based on geographical and cultural proximity affords stipulate what decisions must be established and what regional and subregional organizations the necessary systems must be introduced, with technical aspects perspective for playing a key role in this area. In that tending to take priority. The deteriorating situation connection, in its role of regional organization, my in some countries on the agenda of the Peacebuilding delegation reiterates the statement made by Secretary- Commission (PBC) leads to questions as to whether General Luis Almagro when he said that the OAS is local political mechanisms, capacities and country fully committed to the peace process in Colombia, the dynamics have been taken into account, and whether last armed conflict in the region, with a view to a stable mechanisms have been put in place to safeguard their and lasting peace. By the same token, the General continued existence and avoid a relapse into conflict. Secretariat of the OAS wishes to convey appreciation The situation in Burundi speaks for itself. Despite to the countries of the region, particularly Cuba and being on the PBC agenda for nearly 10 years, political Venezuela, for their contributions to the peace process. and administrative weaknesses persisted and in 2015 In the context of the confluence afforded by the the situation worsened and the country descended review of the peacebuilding architecture, peacekeeping into political turmoil. While we embraced the concept operations and resolution 1325 (2000), on women of the responsibility to protect 10 years ago, in our and peace and security, my delegation considers that understanding of State responsibility and the role of the the common denominator of all these, beyond the international community in helping States to fulfil it, specificities of each case, must be the priority of human the fact that Burundi has now descended into an ever- rights. With that in mind, the General Secretariat of greater spiral of violence has not helped make the case. the OAS reiterates its enthusiasm to continue working With similar cases in the Central African Republic in jointly with the States parties of the Organization of 2015 and 2014, and the 12 April 2012 coup d’état in American States and with the United Nations in hopes Guinea-Bissau, it appears that the PBC has not lived of achieving the set goals. up to its projected role and it is far from reaching its full potential. Those cases also demonstrated that the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the international community in general, and the United floor to the representative of Rwanda. Nations in particular, needed to adopt targeted post- Mr. Nibishaka (Rwanda): Let me join others conflict measures that address the root causes of in thanking you, Mr. President, for organizing political conflict while at the same time respecting the this important open debate. I also thank all the specificity of each situation, including the local political briefers for their comprehensive presentations this dynamics, cultural, religious and ethnic configurations morning. I am convinced that recommendations from and other elements that might play a critical role in discussions of this nature can significantly contribute post-conflict settings. to the improvement and streamlining of practices in It has been consistently stressed by my delegation peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction. here, and in line with the report (see S/2015/490) As all members know, my country went through of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of a difficult process over the past 20 years from a Peacebuilding Architecture, the work of the PBC post-conflict situation to become one of the main should focus on the means and the potential available contributors to United Nations peace operations. Our to the international community to support the locally experience alone is an indication that indeed post- driven and locally defined priorities, with a clear conflict peacebuilding is an important process dealing implementation plan and benchmarks to build inclusive

16-04784 69/71 S/PV.7629 Post-conflict peacebuilding 23/02/2016 local capacities. Inclusive national ownership and The United Nations has undertaken several review leadership are crucial prerequisites for sustainable post- processes on how to better address the challenges to conflict peacebuilding, as is highlighted in the report of international peace and security. Turkey welcomes those the Advisory Group of Experts. Any peace process not processes and supports their key recommendations. endorsed by those who have to live with it is likely to fail. However, it is also important that synergy and coherence In that regard, we concur with the recommendations of be derived from them in order to give rise to cross- the three reviews to directly involve women in setting cutting and multidimensional solutions; otherwise we peacebuilding priorities, identifying beneficiaries and run the risk of fragmentation. monitoring implementation. In addition to the potential The report (S/2015/682) of the Secretary- for women to contribute to successful peacebuilding, General entitled “The future of United Nations peace their participation should also be encouraged on the operations: implementation of the recommendations of basis of fairness and justice. the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations” We call for continued advocacy on behalf of the and the report (S/2015/716) on the global study on the countries on the agenda and help underscore political implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) have already and social economic progress to attract assistance and/ contributed to the ongoing debates. Moreover, the or investment and to national priorities. Despite these 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (General challenges, in the country-specific configurations we Assembly resolution 70/1), in particular Sustainable are encouraged by efforts deployed by configuration Development Goal 16, has underscored the link between Chairs, particularly increasing the visits to Burundi and peace and development with an emphasis on conflict prevention, good governance and the rule of law. the region to interact with various stakeholders, as well as the briefings to the Council and the configuration. Turkey has long advocated in favour of a We believe that the PBC, in supporting countries stronger interrelationship between humanitarian on its agenda, has a critical role to play in fostering and development perspectives. In our experience, regional engagement and commitment. In that respect, humanitarian assistance delivered through development the PBC advisory function should also aim at forging tools enhances recipients’ resilience in facing recurrent interregional coherence through links with countries of crises. The World Humanitarian Summit to be held in the region and regional economic communities, as well Istanbul will enable all stakeholders to further assess as the African Union Peace and Security Council. I this interrelationship. particularly thank those Chairs of the country-specific The Organization devotes most of its energy configurations who have integrated the regional and resources to crisis management. However, dimension into their approach. These practices could conflict prevention can be more efficient and cost- provide an opportunity to increase awareness of the effective. As an important tool in recovery efforts, situation at hand and, where necessary, contribute to peacebuilding may well play a preventive role. In the accuracy of the information at the disposal of the fact, peacebuilding — which is at the nexus of the United Nations that can allow appropriate action to be three pillars of the United Nations — is applicable taken. throughout the conflict cycle. Turkey supports United The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Nations efforts in using effective mediation tools for floor to the representative of Turkey. the purpose of conflict prevention, and regards United Nations peacebuilding capacity as a contribution to Mr. Begeç (Turkey): Turkey aligns itself with the sustainable peace. statement delivered by the observer of the European Union. I should, however, like to make some additional The Peacebuilding Commission plays an comments in my national capacity. important role as a bridge between the principal United Nations organs — the Security Council, the We join others in appreciating the convening of General Assembly and the Economic and Social today’s debate and thank the briefers for their insightful Council. Turkey participates in five out of six country- remarks. We also thank the co-facilitators of the specific configurations within the Commission. We draft resolution — the representatives of Angola and therefore believe that, if given strategic guidance, the Australia — for their transparent and inclusive work. Commission can fulfil its mandate more effectively.

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We should also find a way for allocating adequate regional development banks could play a positive role resources to the Peacebuilding Fund. Peacebuilding is in sustaining peacebuilding activities with a higher a political engagement with a broad scope of activities, degree of ownership at the regional, national and local including institution-building, which requires financial levels. and human resources. With this understanding, Turkey It is key to success in our peacebuilding and supports the Fund with voluntary contributions. development endeavours to encourage the increased Likewise, activities such as disarmament, participation, inclusiveness and empowerment of all demobilization and reintegration, security sector reform segments of society, notably women and youth, because and the promotion of human rights and the rule of law social division and injustice will only harm the prospect are heavily dependent upon United Nations support, for a culture of peace to flourish. and therefore require further resourcing. Last but not the least, the work of the Peacebuilding The report (see S/2015/490) of the Advisory Group Support Office deserves more support and of Experts emphasizes the need for deeper cooperation encouragement than it receives at present. between the United Nations and the international financial institutions. In that regard, cooperation with The meeting rose at 4.40 p.m.

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